rmn 


LIBRARY  OF  THE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 

PRINCETON,    N.    J. 


» 


V 


)\ 


PRAYE 


FROM 


HENEY    WAKD    BEECtlER. 


PnOXOGRAPHICALLY   REPORTED, 


FIFTH  EDITION. 


NEW  TORK: 
CHARLES   SCRIBNER   k   COMPANY 
654    BROADWAY. 
1867. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1S6T, 

BY  CHAELES  SCKIBNER   &  CO., 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States 

for  the  Southern  Distinct  of  New  York. 


INTEODUOTOEY  STATEMENT. 


The  most  experienced  Christians,  who  attend  the  religious  services  of 
Plymouth  Church,  have  been  specially  interested  in  the  devotional  exer- 
cises of  that  famous  pulpit;  and  have  often  felt  these  to  be  even  more 
.unpressive  than  the  sermons  themselves,  which  are  so  greatly  sought 
after.  These  exerdses  are  found  so  full  of  the  most  elevated  thoughts, 
expressed  in  such  affluent  and  appropriate  words,  as  to  be  quite  unique  in 
their  effect,  carrying  the  sympathizing  heart  as  it  were  up  to  the  very 
throne  of  mercy,  and  bringing  the  soul  into  conscious  communion  with 
our  Father  who  is  in  heaven.  The  continual  diversity  of  the  themes  dwelt 
upon,  the  copiousness  and  beauty  of  the  language,  the  evident  absence 
of  formality  and  pre-arrangement,  with  the  graphic  distinctness  and  com- 
pleteness of  the  presentation,  make  these  exercises  worthy  to  be  taken  as 
models  of  extemporaneous  prayer.  But  their  highest  value  is  in  their  fitness 
to  train  the  hearts  of  those  who  earnestly  unite  in  them ;  and  to  lead 
tiiem  into  the  richest  experiences  of  the  spirit  of  prayer,  as  that  consists  in 
the  conscious  intercourse  of  the  human  soul  with  its  Maker,  God. 

My  venerable  and  esteemed  friend,  the  I^everend  Doctor  John  Marsh, 
BO  long  and  widely  honored  for  his  useful  labors  in  the  Temperance  cause, 
in  a  frequent  attendance  at  Plymouth  Church,  found  these  exercises  so 
attractive  and  profitable,  that  he  could  not  but  long  to  renew  their  impres- 
sions. It  seemed  like  a  great  loss  that  such  glowing  words  and  heavenly 
thoughts  should  be  heard  but  once,  and  never  be  repeated  or  recalled. 

lie  thereupon  conceived  the  idea  of  having  some  of  them  faithfully 
reported,  so  that  he  might  preserve  them,  first,  for  his  own  personal  use 
and  satisfaction,  and  then  with  the  thought  that,  at  some  day  yet  remote, 
they  might  perhaps  be  properly  given  to  the  public  in  print,  for  the  gen- 
eral use  of  devout  hearts.  With  this  view,  and  without  tlio  counsel 
or  advisement  of  any  one,  he  several  years  ago  employed,  at  his  own 
expeube,  an  oxperiencod  phouographcr,  to  make  a  verbatim  report  of 


iv  IXTEODUCTOET   STATEMENT. 

a  large  number  of  these  prayers,  entirely  ^vithont  the  knowledge  of  the 
pastor  or  the  congregation.  Having  feasted  his  own  soul  upon  them, 
as  thus  placed  in  his  bands,  he  at  length,  early  in  the  present  year,  was 
brought  to  ihink  that  so  valuable  a  treasure  ought  not  to  be  monopolized 
as  the  possession  of  one  family  alone.  After  taking  the  advice  of  some 
trusted  friends,  who  thought  that  any  sentimental  or  conventional  objec- 
tion to  their  publication  ought  not  to  weigh  against  their  great  value  and 
probable  usefulness,  he  frankly  laid  the  subject  before  Mr.  Beecher. 

After  hearing  the  story  of  their  preservation,  which  was  wholly  new  to 
him,  and  duly  weighing  the  considerations  that  were  presented,  ilr. 
Beecher  said  that,  without  assuming  any  responsibility  whatever  in  the 
matter,  he  did  not  feel  at  hberty  to  object  to  the  publication  of  them,  if 
competent  judges  thought  they  were  calculated  to  do  good  in  that  way. 

All  obstacles  being  thus  happily  removed,  they  are  now  presented,  in 
their  simplicity  and  richness,  faithfully  copied  as  they  were  uttered.  A 
work  so  without  precedent,  must  be  its  own  recommendation ;  and  is  sent 
forth  accompanied  only  with  the  earnest  prayer  that  it  may  prove  a  rich 
blessing  to  those  who  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  this  age,  and  in  the 
grand  and  gracious  ages  which  we  beheve  are  yet  to  come. 

J.  L. 

Beookltn,  Septejnber  20,  1867, 


Is  addition  to  the  above  from  the  pen  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Joshua  Leavitt, 

for  wjiich  he  has  my  sincere  thanks,  I  ought  to   state,  and  I   do  it 

with  great  pleasure,  that,  in  addition  to  the  prayers  thus  providentially  in 

my  hands,  there  have  been  flcfered  me  the  use  of  some  occasional  and 

social  or  lecture-room  prayers  from  the  portfolio  of  the  admiraVjle  reporter 

of  Mr.  Beecher'a  sermons,  which  I  have  gladly  accepted,  as  rendering  the 

volume  more  complete  and  bringing  it  down  near  to  the  present  time. 

The  whole  is  now  commended  to  the  blessing  of  God,  in  the  belief  that  it 

will  be  a  valuable  gift  to  all  who  delight  in  communings  with  God,  and 

be  of  much  service  to  such  as  are  called  to  be  a  mouth  for  others  at  the 

throne  of  grace. 

J.  M. 

BaoOiOiTX,  September  26,  1867. 


SUBJECTS. 


PULPIT. 

The  Fatherhood  of  God 1 

E^membrance  of  Divine  mercies 9 

Preciousness  of  the  Sanctuary 15 

Opening  of  the  Spring 23 

K"eed  of  God 31 

God's  greatness  Man's  security 39 

Joy  in  the  government  of  God 47 

Divine  -wisdom  above  all  human 51 

Confession  and  Penitence 55 

Enth-e  consecration 59 

Communings  with  Jesus 65 

Church  additions 71 

Sacramental  season 77 

Union  -with  Christ 83 

Baptismal  service 87 

Growth  in  grace 93 

For  a  higher  life 99 

Christ  our  necessity  and  joy. 103 

Petitioning  for  light Ill 

The  Journey  of  life H"^ 

Th.o  Battle  of  life 123 

Banctitled  knowledge  of  God 127 


VI  SUBJECTS. 

Passing  from  death  to  life 135 

Jesus  seeing  of  the  Travail  of  his  soul 141 

Sacramental  season 147 

Strength  in  God 153 

Dependence 157 

God's  goodness  to  the  ill-deserving 163 

God  the  only  object  of  trust 167 

Preciousness  of  the  Sabbath 175 

Security  in  Christ 181 

Successive  generations  of  believers 185 

Riches  of  God's  mercy 190 

Paternal  character  of  God 201 

Triumph  over  sin  and  death 205 

"We  know  not  what  we  shall  be 211 

God  our  Hefuge  ;  Heaver  -"ear 221 


OCCASIONAL. 


New  Yearns  day 227 

Return  from  the  summer 235 

Thanksgiving 239 

National  responsibility 245 

Pihal  memorial 251 

Return  from  England 257 

Fast  day  in  war 265 

Mourning  because  of  war 273 

Easter  Sunday 281 

Missionary  occasion 287 

Death  of  Lincoln 291 

Restoration  of  peace 297 


SUBJECTS.  vii 

Baptismal  service 303 

Baptism  of  White  Slave 309 

Youthful  Accessions 313 


SOCIAL  OR  LECTURE-ROOM  PRATERS. 

I 317 

II 319 

III 321 

IV 323 

Y 324 

VI 325 

VII 327 

VIII 328 

IX 330 

X 331 


These  prayers  are  all  independent,  and  not  placed  in  the  order  in  which 
they  were  delivered;  but  some  regard  has  been  had  to  order  in  the 
subjects. 

Closing  prayers  after  sermon,  are  placed  on  vacant  pages;  showing 
the  emotions  of  the  speaker,  after  delivering  his  discourse ;  though  the 
subject  of  discourse  cannot  be  given. 


DEDIO  ATIOlSr. 


To    the    Congregation    of     Believers    worshiping    at    Plymouth    Churchy 

Brooklyn,  N".  Y. 
To  you  these  outpourings  of  the  mind  and  heart  of  your  much  loved 
Pastor,  in  days  gone  by,  now  rising  as  from  ambush  to  aid  in  reviving  the 
spirit  of  true  devotion  and  self-consecration,  must  come  with  a  tender- 
ness and  force  as  to  none  beside.  To  you,  therefore,  this  volume  is 
appropriately  dedicated,  in  the  hope  and  belief  that  it  will  prove  a  rich 
comfort  and  blessing  to  you  and  your  families,  both  now  and  when  the 
voice  of  your  Pastor  may  be  hushed  in  death,  and  when  you  are  crossing 
the  flood  to  part  no  more. 


PULPIT    DEVOTIOIfS. 


THE  FATHERHOOD  OP  GOD. 


Sahbath  Morning. 

INTOCATION. 

Otjr  Father,  another  day  of  rest  is  granted  unto  us.  "We  accept  it  ours 
— the  token  of  thy  love  and  remembrance.  "We  bring  honor  to  thee  and 
desire  to  make  mention  of  thy  name,  and  to  call  thee  Father.  Thou  art 
our  Father,  and  thou  hast  made  that  name  more  venerable  and  more 
full  of  love  than  all  our  earthly  associations  of  parents  have  been  able  to 
do;  for  thou  art  greater  and  better  and  more  true  to  all  the  duties  of 
love  than  earthly  parents  can  be.  And  now  enrich  us  this  day  by  giving 
us  the  power  more  perfectly  to  approach  thee,  and  to  understand  thee, 
and  to  enter  into  sympathy  with  thee.  This  is  our  strength,  the  joy  of 
the  Lord.  And  we  beseech  thee  that  thou  wilt  drive  intrusive  cares 
and  thoughts  away.  May  the  world  no  longer  have  dominion  over  us ; 
may  we  find  ourselves  easily  controlling  it,  and  may  it  be  sweet  to  draw 
near  to  thee  with  praise.  May  we  make  mention  of  our  sins  without 
fear,  since  ihou  hast  washed  them  away.  May  we  be  able  to  view  thee 
with  uplooking  face ;  may  we  gain  strength  to-day  by  the  power  of  thy 
love ;  may  every  thing  conduce  to  thine  honor  and  thy  glory  in  our  wor- 
ship.   TVe  ask  it  for  Christ's  sake.     Amen. 

BEFORE   SERMON. 

O  THOU  that  dwellest  in  heaven  :  round  about  tliee 
are  those  that  are  risen  indeed — -the  spirits  of  the  just 
made  perfect,  and  other  ranks,  dominions,  and  powers 
that  are  nameless.     Thou  art  in  blessed  society.     We 


2  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

know  not  what  tliou  art  in  perspection,  and  can  have 
but  faint  thouglits  of  what  is  divine  glory.  Yet  we 
believe  that,  central  among  all  other  things,  is  thy 
paternal  nature ;  and  that,  when  we  are  inspired  to  say 
from  the  heart  "  Ouk  Father,"  we  have  touched  the 
very  height  of  that  to  which  we  shall  come  through 
ages.  We  know  not  what  we  say — we  know  not  all  the 
meaning  of  that  precious  word  ;  we  know  not  what 
Fatherhood  means  when  enveloped  in  all  the  majesty 
of  the  infinite,  and  stretched  abroad  in  all  its  fullness, 
richness,  and  tenderness  ; — when  over  it  is  all  the  gran- 
deur of  the  eternal  spheres. 

When  we  think  of  that  power  by  which  thou  didst 
cause  the  material  creation,  which  in  its  appointed 
course  is  the  smallest  part,  and  that  not  there  is  thy 
pride  and  thy  glory,  but  that  thy  nature,  in  its  reality 
and  grandeur,  is  in  thine  heart — O  when  we  under- 
stand that  thou  art  greater  than  any  outward  world  can 
make  thee  seem  to  us,  and  that  thou  art  greater  in  thy 
moral  nature  than  in  any  conception  which  we  can  form 
of  the  greatness  of  thy  physical  power,  our  minds  are 
overwhelmed ;  and  yet  we  are  encouraged  to  come  to 
thee.  Thou  dost  not  sit  to  thunder  us  awav.  Thou 
dost  not  sit  to  be  terrible,  though  thou  art  august. 
Thou  dost  not  sit  to  burn  as  an  unquenchable  fire,  though 
thou  art  a  consuming  fire  to  thine  enemies. 

We  rejoice  that  thou  drawest  us  toward  thee  with 
sweet  permission,  with  persuasion,  with  blessed  com 
mand ;  that  thou  art  endeavoring  to  persuade  us  bj 
all  the  processions  of  nature,  by  all  the  daily  occur- 
rences of  providence,  by  all  the  teachings  of  thy  word, 
by  all  the  ministrations  of  thy  grace,  and  by  all  the  influ- 
ences of  the  Holy  Ghost,  shed  abroad  upon  our  souls. 


THE    FATHEEHOOD    OF    GOD.  3 

What  we  are  tliat  thou  shonldst  so  desire  us,  what 
there  is  in  us  that  thou  couldst  look  at  to  love,  we  do 
not  understand ;  but  thou  seest  us  not  only  in  what  we 
are,  but  in  what  we  are  to  be.  Thou  beholdest  us  as  we 
sliall  be  when  our  education  is  complete,  when  thou  shalt 
present  us  before  the  eternal  throne,  without  spot  or 
blemish.  We  rejoice  that  thou  dost  love  us  ; — that  thy 
love  is  omnipotent ;  and  that,  by  thy  grace,  we  shall 
persevere  unto  the  end,  and  finally  be  saved. 

We  thank  thee  that  we  are  brought  together  into 
church  relationships,  and  have  had  so  much  joy  in 
public  worship  and  in  all  social  service  of  religion.  We 
thank  thee  that  thou  hast  purged  from  our  minds  so 
much  of  wickedness ;  that  thou  hast  removed  so  many 
doubts ;  that  thou  hast  brought  many  of  us  to  expe- 
rience so  much  of  thy  love;  and  that  thou  art  bring- 
ing others  to  the  same  conviction  of  the  sufficiency  of 
Christ  for  all  their  sin,  so  that  they  are  able  to  sit  down 
under  his  banner  of  love  with  the  sweetest  composure 
and  rest. 

O,  how  blessed  shall  be  that  entrance  when  we  that  have 
known  each  other  in  the  flesh  with  manifold  imperfec- 
tions ;  when  we  that  have  consorted  together  in  this  vale 
of  tears,  bearing  each  other's  burdens,  shall  stand  up  in 
everlasting  perfection,  where  we  shall  bear  with  each 
other  no  longer,  but  be  as  the  angels  of  God  and  equal  in 
licfht  for  evermore !  Grant  that  the  forethouo^ht  of  this 
coming  glory  may  sanctify  our  earthly  association. 

O  carry  forward  every  one  of  thy  people.  Teach 
them  how  to  live  less  by  fear  and  by  conscience,  and 
more  by  the  nobler  impulses  of  love  and  trust ;  how  to 
behold  thee,  not  as  a  taskmaster,  rigorous  .and  exacting, 
but  a  God  full  of  tenderness  and  of  love.     May  the  way  of 


4  beechee's  pulpit  devotions. 

prayer  be  easy  ;  may  access  to  tliy  throne  be  short ;  may 
we  be  humbled  by  our  weakness  and  unworthiness,  and 
while  we  take  every  thing,  may  we  claim  nothing.  May 
we  feel  that  there  is  no  end  to  thy  bounty ;  not  because 
we  deserve  these  things,  but  because  of  the  nature  of 
thy  loving  heart.  The  bounty  of  thy  heart  is  so  great 
that  thou  dost  cause  every  day  to  pour  itself  abroad  in 
endless  beneficence ;  not  because  of  our  deserts,  but  be- 
cause it  is  thine  own  pleasure. 

Brood  upon  our  souls,  that  we  may  catch  something  of 
thy  nature,  and  know  thee  more  and  more  perfectly. 
We  beseech  of  thee  that  we  may  not  feel  that  thou  art 
harsh  in  thine  administration  toward  us  when  thou 
sendest  burdens.  May  we  believe  that  they  are  sent  for 
wise  purposes.  When  thou  sendest  aiSictions  and  be- 
reavements, may  we  understand  the  way  of  God  toward 
us.  May  we  never  be  so  puifed  up  by  pride  that  we 
shall  think  ourselves  too  good  to  be  afflicted ;  may  we 
never  become  so  much  at  ease  in  our  prospei-ity  that  we 
shall  think  it  some  strange  thing  when  God  casts  up  his 
highways  through  our  fields.  May  we  never  feel  that 
we  are  so  secure  in  this  mortal  state  as  that  there  is  no 
danger  of  losing  our  cherished  possessions  and  treasures. 
We  beseech  thee,  O  God,  that  we  may  feel  that  all  our 
times  and  seasons  are  in  thine  hand ;  that  every  thing 
which  we  possess  comes  from  thee,  and  is  to  be  resumed 
at  thy  good  pleasure;  and  may  we  be  able  to  say  in  all 
our  experiences,  "  Thy  v/ill  be  done."  May  we  have  a 
submission  to  thy  will  that  runs  before  the  coming 
trouble,  so  that  we  may  never  be  broken  down,  but 
always  live  in  the  light  of  thy  countenance,  our  own 
lifted  up  to  receive  its  brightness.  And  we  beseech  of 
thee  that  thou  wilt  bo  very  near  to  all  that  are  passing 


THE    FATHERHOOD    OF    GOD.  5 

through  trouble  and  affliction,  that  they  may  not  sin  nor 
grieve  thee  by  distrust ;  and  grant  that  they  may  submit 
themselves  and  all  their  affairs  willingly  to  thy  hand. 
Guide  them  out  of  all  their  troubles,  and  exercise  them 
thereby,  working  in  them  the  peaceful  fruits  of  righteous- 
ness which  thou  hast  declared  thou  wilt  work  by  trouble 
and  sorrow. 

Grant,  we  beseech  thee,  that  we  may  not  grow  selfish. 
May  we  be  delivered  from  the  luxury  of  religion ;  may 
we  not  seek  such  experiences  and  joyful  emotions  because 
it  may  be  pleasant.  May  we  feel  that  we  are  called  to 
all  the  experiences  that  Christ  had  ;  that,  like  our  Captain, 
v/e  are  to  be  made  perfect  through  suffering.  May  we 
take  cloud  or  sunshine,  storm  or  calm,  sorrow  or  glad- 
ness; be  able  to  bear  affliction  or  prosperity,  to  be 
lifted  up  or  to  be  cast  down,  to  feel  tliat  we  are  as 
ships  that  cross  the  tempestuous  deep,  forever  swaying 
and  rocking,  forever  elevated  and  lowered  by  the  con- 
flicting waves,  but  safe  through  all  storms ;  that  the  trou- 
bles through  which  we  pass  are  waves,  that  life  is  a  voy- 
age, and  that  we  are  ships  making  haste  to  cross  the 
deep.  May  none  of  us  founder  before  we  reach  the  har- 
bor, but  may  every  one  of  us  have  that  pilot  in  the  ship, 
that  guidance,  that  living  Christ,  that  we  shall  be  sure, 
through  calm  and  conflict,  of  reaching  the  land  which  he 
appoints ;  and  may  it  be  Immanuel's  land — that  place  of 
rest,  where  no  storms  are,  and  where  no  tears  wet  the 
eye. 

We  thank  thee  that  so  many  have  reached  it.  O,  how 
many  of  our  friends  that  have  cried  upon  earth  have  for- 
gotten long  since  to  weep  or  cry !  How  many  that  on 
earth  faltered  in  praise,  go  forth  in  the  grandeur  of  hea- 
venly joy  I    How  many  that  lisped  by  our  sides  are  speak- 


6  beecher's  pulpit  devotioxs. 

ing  in  the  full  vocalization  of  heavenly  mnsic!  How 
many  that  went  from  us,  before  they  spoke  at  all,  might 
well  be  our  teachers  now  !  We  thank  thee  that  heaven 
is  so  rich  for  them.  We  thank  thee,  O  Jesus,  that  thou 
art  so  loved,  that  thou  art  embraced  by  all  the  myriads 
of  those  that  have  been  redeemed  by  thee  in  every  age. 
Thou  art  borne  up  npon  the  praises  of  thy  blessed  sancti- 
fied church  in  heaven.  We  have  those  there  that  are 
united  to  us  by  memory,  by  love,  and  by  all  the  ties  of 
earthly  relationships.  They  praise  thee ;  they  rejoice  in 
thee ;  they  comfort  ns  when  we  think  of  them.  We 
would  not  call  them  back ;  we  only  desire  to  hold  them 
in  such  remembrance  that  we  may  follow  hard  after 
them,  and,  in  the  way  where  they  found  victory,  find  our 
victory  too.  We  call  back  none  to  our  arms  that  are 
gone  forth;  we  call  back  none  to  light  our  dwellings, 
whose  going  forth  was  as  the  setting  sun ;  we  call  back 
no  treasures  taken  to  please  God,  but  we  only  remember 
that  they  have  gone,  and  that  we  shall  surely  go  after 
them. 

Bless  these  ministrations  of  thy  providence  to  onr 
good,  and  may  the  things  that  seem  to  break  ns 
down,  lift  us  up.  And  as  thou  dost  give  life  to  the  har- 
vest by  corrupting  the  seed,  and  crushing  it  under  the 
plow,  that  it  may  lose  traces  of  life,  to  give  forth  a 
more  abundant  increase,  so  we  beseech  thee  that  when 
we  are  cast  down  and  crushed  by  thy  plow,  and  seem- 
to  be  utterly  destroyed,  may  we  understand  God's  way 
of  planting;  that  out  of  these  afflictions,  which  for  the 
present  are  not  joyons,  bnt  grievous,  there  shall  come 
forth  and  there  shall  grow  up  peaceable  fruits  of  righte- 
ousness. May  we,  then,  every  day,  every  hour,  every 
moment,  and  in  every  thing,  look  to  thee  to  thiuk  for  us^ 


THE    FA-THERHOOD    OF   GOD.  7 

will  for  US,  and  then  let  us  coincide  in  thinking  and  in 
willing  with  thee,  that  we  may  be  God-led,  and  preserved 
and  saved. 

Bless,  we  beseech  thee,  all  those  for  whom  we  should 
pray.  Kemember  all  classes  and  conditions  of  men. 
May  the  gospel  of  Christ,  that  hath  dwelt  in  this  world 
so  long  without  subduing  it,  receive  new  power,  and  may 
it  go  forth  with  more  disclosures  of  divinity  than  ever ; 
and  before  the  brightness  of  thy  coming  may  all  forms 
of  selfishness  flee  away,  may  all  pride  be  beaten  down, 
may  all  inhumanities  sink  to  perdition,  may  the  glory  of 
God's  love  fill  and  overflow  the  earth,  and  may  peace, 
founded  upon  justice,  prevail  among  the  nations  of  the 
globe,  and  war  be  heard  no  more  forever,  and  all  the 
earth  see  the  salvation  of  our  God ;  and  to  thy  name 
shall  be  the  praise,  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit.     Amen. 


A   CLOSING  PRATER. 

Our  heavenly  Father,  we  beseech  of  thee  that  we  may  be  made  to  drink 
into  the  spirit  of  God,  and  be  laborers  togetlier  with  thee  in  all  truth,  in 
all  fidelity,  in  all  love,  in  all  humanity.  May  we  not,  alone  in  cur  theory 
and  in  our  principles,  believe  in  this  greatness  of  man  as  nrade  by  God 
and  as  destined  by  him  to  immortality,  but  grant  that  we  may  have  this 
knowledge  interpreted  to  us  in  our  disposition.  May  we  know  how  to 
correct  the  elevation  of  pride  and  its  heartlessness;  may  we  have  the 
desire  to  do  good  to  all  men  as  we  have  an  opportunity.  Grant  that  we 
may  be  tender-hearted,  and  that  we  may  have  affection  that  stands  ready 
to  flow  down.  May  we  know  how  to  pay  some  tribute  of  esteem  to  all 
men,  and  may  there  be  a  desire  in  our  hearts  to-day  that  they  may  be 
made  better  and  happier  by  our  testimonies  toward  them.  0  Lord,  how 
great  is  the  sea,  how  new  is  the  voyage,  how  difficult  is  the  navigation  I 
O  give  us  thine  own  Spirit,  or  we  shall  never  exemplify  Christ  in  the 
details  of  our  life.  0  Lord  God,  cleanse  us  from  this  infidelity  of  our 
every  day  life,  and  bring  us  into  the  spirit  of  Jesus,  that  love  may  reign 
triumphant  in  us,  and  that  we  may  glorify  our  Father  in  heaven.  And 
when  we  have  done  with  life, — though  it  hath  been  an  imperfect  one 
sinning  througliout  by  manifold  sins — 0  Lord  Jesus,  let  there  be  found  in 
us  the  mercy  of  God  cleansing  from  every  sin,  and  give  us  through  the 
infinite  grace  and  mercy  of  our  Saviour,  an  entrance  into  thine  heavenly 
kingdom :  and  let  it  bo  a  heaven  where  pride  shall  come  to  us  no  more, 
and  selfishness  no  more,  and  corruption  no  more ;  and  then,  if  we  may  lift 
ourselves  up  in  raiment  unstained  and  indeed  purified  by  thy  blood,  we 
will  give  to  thee  the  praise  of  our  salvation  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen. 


REMEMBRAN^CE   OF  DIVINE  MERCIES. 


Sabbath  Morning. 

INVOCATION". 

"We  thank  thee,  our  Father  in  heaven,  that  we  have  already  begun  the 
song  of  thanksgiving,  and  we  ask  that  we  may  have  that  blessing  which 
is  comprehended  in  thine  own  presence  ;  for  what  the  sun  is  to  all  ths 
earth  in  summer,  that  art  thou  to  us.  "Whatever  wo  need,  whatever  wo 
would  have  taken  away,  whatever  things  must  come  or  must  go,  all  is  as 
it  should  be  in  us  when  thou  art  present,  quickening,  comforting,  teach- 
ing, guiding.  May  we  have,  therefore,  in  the  beginning  of  our  worship 
to-day,  the  feeling  that  we  are  in  the  presence  of  our  Father  and  great 
benefactor.  May  we  all  feel  that  we  have  come  home  to-day.  May  thy 
word  be  not  the  words  printed  in  a  book,  but  the  voice  of  God  speaking 
to  us.  May  all  the  exercises  of  worship  before  thee,  while  they  are  reve- 
rential, have  that  high  and  blessed  familiarity  which  love  gives.  May  we 
sing  with  great  gladness,  and  sing  together;  may  we  speak  from  a  true 
heart,  informed  by  the  Spirit  of  God  ;  may  we  be  able  together  to  lift  up 
our  prayers,  and  so  wilt  thou  move  upon  us  to  ask  the  tilings  which  we 
ought,  that,  while  we  are  speaking,  blessings  may  fall ;  and  may  all  the 
service  of  the  day,  being  divinely  inspired  and  guided,  be  divinely  blessed. 
"We  ask  it  for  Christ  Jesus'  sake.     Amen. 

BEFORE  SERMON". 

O  God,  we  come  to  speak  of  thine  abundant  mercies 

to  us.     We  wonder  while  we  adore !     What  are  we  and 

our  father's  house,  that  thou  shouldst  have  shown  such 

mercies  to  us  ?     Why  was  our  lot  cast  in  the  midst  of 

so  much  privilege  ?     "Why  were  we  so  nurtured  ?     Why 

were  angel  guards  sent  to  us  in  the  cradle  and  in  all  the 
1=^ 


10  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

way  of  3^outh  upward  ?  O  Lord,  we  rejoice  that  it  is 
so,  and  yet  we  cannot  see  behind  the  veil  which  hides  the 
secret  purpose  of  God  in  the  administration  of  human 
aifairs.  We  rejoice  that  we  v>^ere  born  so  near  to  the 
sanctuary,  and,  before  we  knew  what  it  meant,  heard  its 
call  Sabbath  by  Sabbath.  We  thank  thee  that  oui*  earli- 
est knowledge  came  through  tliy  word,  full  of  marvel 
and  wonder.  We  thank  thee  that  our  earliest  thoughts 
and  feelings  were  those  feelings  of  love  to  our  superiors 
and  parents  which  taught  us  how  to  love  upward  toward 
our  God.  We  thank  thee  that  we  were  surrounded,  yea, 
woven  into  the  golden  fabric  of  domestic  love,  and  that 
we  were  surrounded  by  so  many  faithful  companions 
and  trusted  friends.  We  thank  thee  for  the  privileges  of 
our  childliood,  and  for  all  the  opportunities  of  instruc- 
tion. We  thank  thee  even  for  the  things  which  we  had 
of  trouble ;  it  was  good  to  bear  the  yoke  in  our  youth. 

We  thank  thee  that  thou  didst  show  us  the  way  to  man- 
hood, and  open  the  door  thereat,  and  didst  permit  so 
many  of  us  to  walk  in  thither,  and  to  walk  in  the  way 
built  of  God,  tov/ard  honor,  glory,  and  immortality. 
How  many  of  us  recognize  ourselves  as  thine  own, 
called  by  1^y  Spirit,  and  called  effectually  !  How  many 
are  there  that  bear  witness,  because  thou  bearest  witness 
in  them !  How  many  that  remember  days  of  great  glad- 
ness, of  joys  from  Christ  revealed  in  them  the  hope  of 
glory!  How  many,  this  morning,  as  they  think  upon 
the  mercies  of  God,  are  overwlielmed  with  the  reflection 
of  his  abundant  kindnesses !  How  many  have  been 
drawn  out  of  evil !  How  many  have  been  healed  and 
brought  up  from  sicknesses  !  How  many  have  had  those 
dear  to  them  as  their  own  life  spared  by  thy  kindness  ! 

How  many  liave  been  rescued  from  tlieir  fears !     How 


•      BEarEMBRANCE    OP   DIVINE   MEECIES.  11 

many  have  escaped  from  temptation,  as  a  bird  from  the 
snare  of  the  fowler !  How  many  have  seen  the  things 
that  were  cracked  and  ready  to  fall,  heal  again !  How 
many  households,  that  seemed  to  be  threatened  with 
destruction,  hast  thou  surrounded  by  the  clasping  of  thine 
own  arms  and  held  firmly  together !  Behold,  how  many 
there  are  that  stand  reading  the  book  of  their  remem- 
brance, and  wondering,  as  they  read,  that  every  line  has 
something  of  God's  goodness  !  How  art  thou  celebrated 
in  our  thoughts  !  How  is  the  truth  and  wisdom  of  thy 
providence  made  plain,  as  we  go  back  over  all  the  way 
in  which  thou  hast  led  us  in  life  !  Sometimes,  when  we 
fall  from  grace  and  thee,  and  stand  looking  at  our  life 
in  the  light  of  our  lower  feelings,  how  burdensome  and 
sordid,  how  unsatisfactory  and  unfruitful  are  all  things  ; 
it  is  the  weary  gate  that  opened  to  let  us  into  life,  and 
we  look  wistfully  when  the  day  shall  come  that  we 
shall  go  out  of  it.  It  seems  but  vanity,  vexation,  tur- 
moil, and  uncertainty,  and  brooding  doubts  spread  over 
all  the  sphere ;  but  when  we  are  caught  by  thee,  and  the 
spirit  lifted  up,  so  that  we  look  upon  the  world  in  the 
light  of  thy  countenance,  and  from  our  higher  and 
nobler  nature,  how  strange  and  wonderful  is- the  bright- 
ness thereof!  How  our  souls  thank  thee  for  that  birth 
into  immortality  which  thou  hast  been  pleased  to  give 
us !  Our  very  tears  then  seem  prayers ;  our  very  sorrows 
and  sighs  are  subjects  of  thanksgiving ;  not  one  stroke 
has  there  been  too  much,  not  one  burden  too  heavy,  not 
one  trial  or  experience  too  many.  Thy  faithfulness 
seems  to  us  to  walk  before  and  to  preside  over  all  the 
processes  and  steps  of  our  lives,  and  we  are  conscious 
ttiat  we  are  surrounded  by  thee,  and  that,  in  the  silence 
with   which  thou    art  pleased  to   work,  we   still   were 


12  BEECnETl's   PULPIT   DEYOTIOXS. 

thought  of,  and  that  the  silent  thoughts  of  God  shot 
hither  and  thither  all  round  about;  more  than  stars, 
more  than  suns,  were  thej  to  us,  though  we  scarcely 
knew  their  light. 

And  now,  O  Lord  God,  most  high  and  holy,  we  desire 
evermore  to  live  as  seeing  thee  who  art  invisible ;  we 
desire  to  see  every  part  of  our  life  as  thou  beholdest, 
instinct  with  meaning,  and  full  of  fore-pointings  toward 
immortality ;  we  desire  to  understand  that  we  are  not  as 
brutes  are,  and  that  our  life  is  not  in  our  outward  things ; 
we  desire  to  feel  that  our  truest  life  is  hid  with  Christ 
in  God,  that  we  are  the  first-born  of  the  resurrection, 
marching  all  of  us  homeward  and  heavenward  to  honors 
and  dignities,  such  as  are  not  foreshadowed  in  any  thing 
in  this  world.  We  pray  that  we  may  be  patient ;  that 
we  may  be  humble  before  thee,  but  courageous  before 
men  and  temptation ;  we  pray  that  we  may  not  repine 
or  murmur  under  any  circumstances.  May  the  bitter- 
ness of  the  cup  be  welcome  to  our  lips ;  may  all  tlie 
things  of  life  that  seem  to  strain,  and  gird,  and  bind, 
seem  but  the  forming  hand  of  God  ;  and  as  the  marble 
knows  not  why  the  chisel  acts,  though  the  sculptor 
knows,  so,  though  we  do  not  know  what  thou  art  doing, 
may  we  understand  that  all  pressures  and  pains  and 
troubles  are  but  the  hands  of  God  formins^  us  to  his  own 
likeness  and  image ;  and  may  we  be  glad  even  at  the 
ministry  of  trouble ;  may  Ave  lift  up  a  joyful  heart  even 
when  we  suffer  ;  and  may  we  learn,  at  last,  to  come  with 
that  blessedness  of  resignation,  whereby  we  can  say,  "  We 
rejoice  in  infirmities,  and  count  it  all  joy  when  we  fall 
into  divers  temptations." 

Be  pleased  to  bless  all  whom  we  love ;  we  pray  that, 
Wherever  they  may  be,  they  may  yet  be  always  with  thee ; 


EEMEMBRAXCE    OF   DIYIXE    MEECIES.  13 

and  if  thy  grace  and  providence  are  extended  above  them, 
why  should  we  follow  them  with  thoughts  of  fear  and 
anxiety?  O  Lord,  since  we  can  commit  ourselves  to 
thee,  why  can  we  not  commit  all  other  things  which  we 
love  ?  We  do ;  we  offer  ourselves ;  we  yield  up  our  chil- 
dren ;  we  give  our  dearest  friends  and  companions,  yea, 
our  every  hope  and  anticipation  of  the  future ;  we  leave 
them  in  thy  hand.  It  is  a  glorious  refuge  that  we  have ; 
we  plant  and  place  in  thee  all  things,  saying,  ^'  thy  will  he 
done." 

Bless,  we  beseech  thee,  our  brethren  of  every  name. 
Unite  the  household  of  faith  more  and  more,  by  the 
adhesion  of  love,  and  less  and  less  may  they  seek  to 
be  united  by  the  external  forms  of  belief  and  govern- 
ment. We  beseech  thee  that  thou  wilt  make  thy  people 
love  manliness  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  may  this  become  the 
highest  ideal  of  Christian  life.  Thou  hast  borne  thy 
churches  through  the  conflicts  of  time ;  thou  hast  sur- 
rounded them  with  bulwarks ;  thou  hast  given  them  the 
sword,  the  spear,  and  the  shield ;  and  now  may  they  begin 
to  understand  that  the  fig-tree,  the  vine,  the  vineyard, 
and  all  the  pleasant  things  of  the  garden,  are  more  desir- 
able than  sword,  or  spear,  or  shield.  And  we  beseech  of 
thee  that  the  things  which  make  for  peace,  in  equity  and 
purity,  may  more  and  more  rise  in  value.  May  thy 
people  vex  each  other  less  and  less,  distrust  less  and  less, 
separate  themselves  less  and  less.  Pour  out  thy  Spirit 
•  upon  all  those  things  that  are  bringing  thy  servants  of 
every  name  together,  and  grant  that  this  bond  of  a  com- 
mon love  may  grow  stronger  and  stronger  around  the 
earth.  We  pray  that  thou  wilt  hasten  the  day  when  all 
evil  shall  pass  away ;  when  slavery  shall  cease ;  when 
iniquitous  laws  shall   cease;   when  intemperance,  igno- 


14  BEECHEr's    pulpit   DEVOTION'S. 

ranee,  and  every  form  of  passion  shall  cease  ;  when  the 
glory  of  God  shall  shine,  and  the  Son  shall  travel  in  the 
greatness  of  his  strength  ;  may  this  blessed  day  rise  not 
■upon  US  alone,  but  upon  all  the  nations  of  the  earth. 
Lord,  look  again  and  see  those  whom  thou  hast  made ; 
behold  the  waste  and  the  darkness  of  the  earth  ;  behold 
the  trouble,  the  ruin,  and  the  dismay  of  nations.  Have 
mercy  upon  the  earth,  O  thou  that  dost  hide  thyself 
behind  thine  own  mysterious  counsels ;  shine  forth  and 
bring  salvation  to  all  the  earth ;  and  to  thy  name  shall 
be  the  praise,  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit.     Amen. 


PRECIOFSlSrESS   OF  THE  SAKCTUAKT. 


Sabbath  Morning. 

INVOCATION", 

"We  thank  thee,  our  Father,  that  we  are  gathered  from  so  many  places 
by  thy  kind  providence  to  this,  thy  house  of  prayer.  Thou  hast  in  other 
times  been  here  to  receive  us.  Stand  in  thine  own  house  again  to-day, 
and  bid  every  heart  welcome  with  the  assurance  of  thy  love,  of  thy  favor, 
and  of  thy  presence ;  and  by  the  power  which  thou  dost  show  forth  upon 
us,  may  we  discern  the  truth  hidden  in  thy  word.  May  we  take  hold 
upon  thee  in  communion ;  may  we  be  able  to  unite  together  in  fellowship 
of  song,  and  praise  thee  with  one  heart  and  voice.  Grant  that  all  the 
exercises  of  the  Sabbath,  whether  in  the  sanctuary  or  in  our  several 
homes,  may  conduce  to  our  spiritual  comfort  and  edification :  and  thus 
may  thy  name  be  honored.    We  ask  it  for  Christ's  sake.     Amen. 

BEFORE  SERMON. 

OiTR  heavenly  Father,  we  do  not  draw  near  to  thee  in 
this  place  as  if  only  here  thon  wert  to  be  found.  Thou 
hast  made  the  whole  earth  to  be  full  of  thee.  The 
heavens  declare  thy  glory  and  the  firmament  showeth  thy 
handiwork.  Day  nnto  day  nttereth  speech  of  thee, 
through  all  the  years  of  our  lives.  Neither  is  there  any 
place  so  solitary,  nor  any  so  barren,  nor  any  so  dark  and 
sad  and  seemingly  neglected,  that  thou  art  not  to  be 
discerned  there.  Thou  hast  written  of  thee  in  every  part 
of  this  domain,  and  they  that  arc  instructed  in  thee  know 
how  to  find  thee  everywhere. 

"Rut   yet,  in  some   places    we   find  thee  more  easily 


16  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

tlian  in  others.  Thou  hast  made  this  place  peculiarly 
dear  to  us,  because  here  we  have  often  lingered,  wait- 
ing for  the  dawn,  until  the  day-spring  came  from  on 
high.  Here  we  have  come,  unable  to  see  by  the  multi- 
tude of  our  tears,  and  gone  away  seeing  all  the  better 
through  them,  as  if  thou  hadst  made  them  lenses.  Here 
v/e  have  been  pressed  down,  burdened,  and  gone  leaving 
our  burden,  we  knew  not  where.  We  have  come  in 
heavily,  and  gone  out  light-hearted  indeed.  When  we 
turn  back  our  thoughts  to  the  many  years  that  we  have 
been  wont  to  come  here ;  when  we  bring  to  our  remem- 
brance those  that  aforetime  have  been  with  us,  and  are 
no  more  upon  this  side,  how  sacred  is  the  place ;  though 
no  sprinkling  of  water  and  no  reaching  out  of  hands,  and 
no  pronunciation  of  blessing  have  been  here  vainly  to 
seek  to  consecrate  these  elements,  yet  ten  thousand  hearts 
have  consecrated  this  place.  The  sprinkling  hath  been 
of  tears,  and  the  reaching  out  and  imposition  of  hands 
hath  been  indeed  in  spiritual  things. 

Here  have  we  not  beheld  our  children  bowino^  to  thee  ? 
Have  they  not  stood  before  us  and  with  us,  grouped  by 
faith  into  the  same  household  ?  Here  have  we  not  had 
triumph  given  to  us  through  our  sorrow  and  anguish  in 
their  early  release,  and  our  loss  of  them  ?  Here  thou  hast 
made  it  sweet  for  us  to  pray,  to  sing.  Here  thou  hast 
made  us  seem  more  lovely  to  each  other  than  ever  we 
are  in  our  outward  and  earthly  relations.  Here  thou 
hast  made  the  light  of  heaven  to  shine  golden  on  the 
wings  of  life  that  aforetime  hath  been  gloomy.  Thou 
hast  here  taught  us  courage,  and  hope,  and  faith,  and 
love.  Thou  hast  so  stricken  us  throuo;h  with  these 
divine  elements,  that  we  have  been  able  to  carry  them 
with  us  every  week,  as  we  went  along  our  troubled  way. 


PRECIOUSNESS    OF   THE    SANCTUARY,  17 

And  now  when  tlie  Sabbatli  dawns,  it  comes  speaMng 
thoughts  of  pleasure  and  rest  to  ns  ;  and  when  the  gates 
of  God's  house  are  thrown  open,  how  do  we  rejoice  to 
come  up  together !  How  sweet  and  pleasant  a  house  thou 
hast  made  it  to  us.  Though  we  are  in  the  flesh,  and 
though  we  are  restricted  in  every  thing  that  is  good  by 
pride  and  selfishness,  and  by  the  low-mindedness  of  our 
habitual  thoughts,  yet  with  all  these  hindrances  how  hast 
thou  made  us  to  discern  things  here  in  the  light  and  glory 
of  heaven.  We  thank  thee  for  the  memories  of  the  sanc- 
tuary, for  the  experience  of  the  sanctuary,  and  for  all  the 
blessedness  which  yet  is  in  it  or  waiting  for  our  recep- 
tion. 

And  now  we  beseech  thee,  O  thou  that  hast  power  to 
touch  our  imagination,  our  affection,  and  our  understand- 
ing, to-day,  interpret  to  us  the  exceeding  greatness  of  the 
truths  of  God.  Those  least  truths  around  about  us,  that 
thou  hast  interpreted  through  forms  of  matter,  are  more 
than  we  can  search,  and  deeper  than  we  can  understand  ; 
yet  these  are  the  under-foot  truths,  and  the  least,  while 
above  us  and  related  to  our  spiritual  being,  what  is  the 
grandeur  of  those  immortal  truths  of  love  and  purity  and 
rectitude  which  thou  art  attempting  to  teach  us  !  Be 
patient  yet,  O  thou  long-suffering  Saviour,  as  thou  hast 
been  patient  in  days  past  with  us,  for  it  is  through  thy 
patience  that  we  have  li02:)e. 

It  is  not  because  we  are  good  nor  easily  made  good ;  it 
is  not  because  we  are  docile  or  easily  instructible  that  we 
have  any  hope — for  we  And  ourselves  coarse,  and  dull, 
and  worldly;  ungenerous,  selfish,  and  proud;  at  times 
envious  and  jealous  and  filled  with  all  hatefulness  of  that 
which,  when  it  comes  to  us  revealed  in  the  light  of  higher 
truths,  makes  us  shrink  ii'ora  ourselves  with  unutterable 


18  beecher's  rULPIT  deyotions. 

loatldng  and  to  wonder  that  tliou  conldst  look  with  com- 
placency for  a  moment  upon  us. 

And  jetj  such  is  thy  love,  and  such  is  the  patience  with 
which  it  hath  inspired  thee,  that  thou  hast  not  yet  been 
wearj^  of  thy  charge.  Thou  hast  borne  us  up  more  ten- 
derly than  ever  did  cur  parents  in  our  infancy,  and  thy 
thoughts  toward  us,  how  precious  and  how  exceeding  great 
the  number  of  them !  The  wonder  of  thy  grace,  of  thy 
tenderness,  and  of  thy  kindness,  have  begun  to  awaken  in 
us  an  earnest  desire  to  please  thee.  But  onlj^  when  we 
endeavor  to  please  thee,  do  we  find  how  void  we  are  by 
nature  of  goodness — only  then  when  we  attem^pt  to  reach 
forth  our  hand  to  wi'ite  or  to  appear  growing  and  vigor- 
ous, do  we  find  how  rude  and  untaught  our  hands  are. 
"We  stand  before  thee  undressed;  we  stand  empty;  yet 
with  all  thy  teaching,  there  is  nothing  that  we  should 
presume  to  hold  up  before  thee  and  say,  "Be  gracious 
unto  us  by  reason  of  our  excellence."  Our  whole  hope 
and  faith  is  in  the  greatness,  in  the  grandeur,  in  the  inex- 
haustibleness  of  thy  love.  In  thyself  we  must  needs  find 
our  redemption,  our  sanctification. 

We  beseech  thee,  O  Lord,  that  thou  wilt  cause  this 
glory  of  thy  nature  more  and  more  to  rise  up  before  us 
that  we  might  be  shown  for  evermore,  beneficiaries — how 
we  live  upon  the  charity  of  our  God ;  that  we  may  feel 
that  we  receive  every  thing  from  thee  as  a  grace,  as  a  gift 
undeserved ;  and  that,  conscious  of  living  upon  thee,  we 
may  learn  to  lean  toward  our  fellow-men,  and  in  our  small 
measure  endeavor  to  reflect  uj)on  them  from  ourselves  the 
same  charity;  that  we  may  bear  with  them  patiently; 
that  we  may  be  more  gentle  to  all ;  that  we  may  have  love 
in  our  heart  that  shall  be  able  to  overflow  and  hide  as  the 
tide  hides  the  rocks  and  all  noisome  things  beneath  its 


PKECIOFSNESS    OF   THE    SANCTUARY.  19 

abundant  depths ;  so  may  we  have  that  charity  that  shall 
cover  a  multitude  of  sins  and  hide  them,  though  it  may 
not  destroy  them.  And  we  beseech  of  thee,  having  the 
same  experience  of  thy  nature  in  love,  that  we  may 
have  the  evidence  that  we  are  thy  children  and  are 
born  again,  in  the  presence,  activity,  and  increasing  power 
of  love  in  us.  And  we  pray  that  thou  wilt  teach  us  more 
and  more  the  knowledge  of  ourselves,  more  and  more  the 
skill  to  extend  this  divine  glory ;  more  and  more  may  w^e 
carry  in  our  personal  disposition,  in  our  household,  and 
through  every  part  of  our  worldly  business  this  nobler 
spirit  of  the  divine  nature;  so  may  we  live  as  perpetually 
to  preach ;  so  may  we  live  that  men  shall  be  curious  to 
know  from  what  source  we  draw  the  inspiration  of  our 
life,  and  thus  seeing  our  good  works  be  led  to  glorify  our 
Father  which  is  in  heaven. 

Wilt  thou  grant  to  every  one  in  thy  presence  the 
blessings  which  they  need.  Have  none  come  in  hither 
unconscious  of  their  duty,  unconscious  of  their  need? 
Have  none  come  drawn  merely  by  curiosity?  If  there 
be  any  such,  O  Lord,  we  pray  that  thou  wilt  be  better 
to  them  than  they  meant  to  be  to  themselves,  and  meet 
them  with  such  divine  influence,  such  an  opening  of 
their  eyes,  such  a  quickening  of  their  affections,  that 
they  shall  feel  that  indeed  God  hath  led  them  hither 
for  a  purpose  which  they  suspected  not,  and  led  them  in 
a  way  they  knew  not  of.  Are  there  those  that  have 
been  conscious  of  unsupplied  want  ?  Are  there  any  that 
have  been  as  birds  flying  prematurely  into  a  land  in 
which  no  seed  nor  flower  hath  yet  come  up,  waiting 
for  the  summer  to  come,  and  know  not  what  they  suf- 
fer from  hunger  ?  Are  there  not  some  that  thou  hast 
brought,  who  sit  hungering  on  the  tree  and  longing  for 


20  beechee's  pulpit  devotions. 

food,  and  know  not  where  to  turn  ?  O,  thou  art  the  God 
for  such.  In  their  helplessness,  in  their  ignorance,  in  their 
want  of  knowledge  of  themselves,  they  shall  find  in  thee 
supremest  joy,  for  thou  dost  love  to  do  great  things  for  such, 
because  thou  art  great  in  all  the  inflections  of  generosity 
and  goodness.  If  there  be  such  here  to-day,  may  they  hear 
the  voice  of  God  in  these  very  musings  and  v/ants  of  their 
nature,  and  may  they  be  drawn  to  thee  for  their  supply. 
And  if  there  are  any  in  thy  presence  that  stand  doubtful, 
whose  sun  is  risen  but  whose  heavens  are  clouded,  O  grant 
that  the  light  may  no  longer  shine  twilight  through 
the  cloud,  but  break  away  and  give  a  clear,  efiulgent 
experience. 

And  we  beseech  thee  that  thou  wilt  accept,  this  morn- 
ing, the  heart- felt  thanks  of  those  who  have  seen  the  sun 
of  righteousness,  with  healing  in  his  oeams,  who  dwell  in 
the  summer  of  his  love  and  are  satisfied,  w^hose  days  go 
past  in  music,  and  all  of  whose  sounds  are  harmonies  of 
God.  May  they  not  fall  from  this  blessed  state,  nor 
deem  it  a  trance,  but  may  they  abide  in  it  and  find  the 
fullness  of  thy  love,  and  its  sweet  fruition,  which  they 
may  have,  who  have  put  their  whole  trust  in  Christ 
Jesus. 

Bless  all  that  are  young ;  help  those  that  are  appointed 
as  parents,  or  guardians,  or  teachers,  to  so  rear  them  that 
they  may  walk  from  the  freshness  and  purity  of  youth, 
untempted,  up  to  the  experience  of  Christian  purity  and 
love,  without  swerving,  without  contamination.  Succor 
those,  w^e  beseech  thee,  that  are  discouraged  in  the  rear- 
ing of  thy  children,  and  may  they  have  hope  and  trust 
in  God,  and  not  be  discouraged  in  themselves. 

And  now  we  ask  of  thee  that  we  may  all  have  more  and 
more  of  the  knowledge  of  God;  may  we  grow  in  grace  and 


PEECIOUSNESS    OF    THE    SANCTUAET.  21 

in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  and  Savioiu-,  Jesus  Christ, 
until  we  are  changed  from  glory  to  glory,  and  are  permitted 
to  take  our  place  by  thy  side  in  heaven,  where  we  will 
praise  thee  forever  and  ever.     Amen. 


CLOSING  PRATER. 

Our  heavenly  Father,  wilt  thou  bless  the  word  of  admonition  given. 
May  thy  truth  come  to  us  with  authority,  deUvering  us  from  those  dim 
and  misty  visions  which  we  have  when  the  fogs  of  this  life  rise  around 
about  us ;  when  our  own  passions  distemper  our  sight.  Give  us  that 
calm  certainty  of  truth,  that  nearness  of  thee,  that  conviction  of  the 
reality  of  the  life  to  come,  which  we  shall  need  to  bear  us  tlirough  the 
troubles  of  this.  Oh,  if  we  could  Hve  as  seeing  thee  that  art  invisible,  if 
we  could  live  as  beholding  heaven,  it  would  not  be  hard  to  live  aright ! 
But  our  faith  is  faint;  the  world  is  real  to  us;  and  we  are  on  every  side 
sympathetic  with  earthly  things.  Those  things  seem  to  us  visionary  and 
remote  that  are  most  important  to  us.  Therefore  we  ask  that  gift  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  by  whicli  the  truth  is  brought  into  the  heart,  and  made  to 
abide  there  in  ever-increasing  power.  Baptize  us  with  the  Holy  Ghost ; 
dwell  in  us;  go  with  us;  and  at  last,  through  all  entanglements,  through 
every  temptation,  througli  perils  and  dangers,  through  death  itself,  bring 
us  to  our  exceeding  great  reward  in  heaven.  These  mercies  we  ask  for 
Christ's  sake.     Amen. 


OPENING  OF  THE   SPRING. 


Sabbath  Morning. 

INVOCATION". 

Out  of  thine  infinite  fullness,  0  Lord  our  God,  be  pleased  to  give  forth 
strength  and  wisdom  and  inspiration.  Breathe  upon  us,  that  every-thing 
which  is  good  may  be  lifted  up,  and  that  every  thing  which  is  evil  may  be  laid 
low,  and  that  we  may  please  thee.  Drawn  hither,  we  trust,  by  thy  secret 
and  divine  drawing,  we  have  come  expectant.  Eelease  us  now  from  care ; 
cause  the  peace  to  rest  on  us  which  thou  wert  accustomed  to  breathe  on  the 
discipled  band  on  the  first  day,  and  may  we  rejoice  together  in  emancipation  ; 
and  may  the  hours  to-day  surround  us  better  than  the  walls  did  Jerusalem, 
or  the  mountains  the  walls.  May  the  Lord  our  God  to-day  be  our  joy, 
and  may  his  joy  be  our  strength.  Bless  thy  word,  and  as  thou  didst  out 
of  the  rock  bring  forth  Christ,  our  Lord  and  Saviour,  so  may  the  buried 
Christ  be  brought  forth  from  the  letter  to-day,  and  stand  living  and 
blessed  before  our  gaze.  Bless  us  as  we  may  speak  the  word  of  truth 
in  exhortation  of  life  and  duty;  may  we  be  divinely  guided  in  all  wisdom, 
and  let  it  not  be  a  vain  thing  that  we  hsten,  but  rather  for  our  souls' 
everlasting  profit.  Accept  our  thanks  that  we  are  permitted  in  voice 
to  take  hold  of  each  other's  hearts  in  singing  together ;  may  we  unite 
gladly  in  the  sweet  fellowship  of  love  one  with  another ;  may  we  unite, 
by  the  consciousness  of  faith,  with  those  that  never  cease  to  praise,  with 
every  joy  of  their  hearts  in  divine  and  everlasting  overflow,  the  grace  of 
God  which  brought  them  safe  to  heaven.  Be  thou  pleased  with  our 
imperfect  song  and  worship.  Help  us  to  commune  with  thee  face  to  face 
in  prayer  unabashed,  coming  boldly  to  the  throne  of  grace,  tliat  we  may  obtain 
mercy  and  help  in  time  of  need.  0  Lord,  may  the  whole  day,  when  it  shall 
have  passed,  seem  to  have  been  but  an  alabaster  box  of  precious  ointment 
broken  on  our  heads,  whose  perfume  shall  linger  long  through  the  week 
with  us  from  day  to  day,  until  we  are  taken  home  to  our  rest  in  heaven, 
where  we  will  praise  "thee  for  evermore.     Amen. 


24  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

BEFORE   SERMOJT. 

"We  rejoice,  our  Father,  that  thou  hast  made  known  to 
us,  in  thy  word,  that  wisdom  by  which  we  can  interpret 
all  thy  revelation  and  nature.  We  have  walked  aforetime 
in  the  midst  of  the  things  which  thou  hast  made,  as  men 
walk  in  desolate  cities  who  cannot  read  their  inscriptions. 
E'ow,  since  thou  hast  revealed  thyself  to  us  in  Jesus 
Christ,  we  behold  thine  eternal  power  and  Godhead  in 
nature  also.  We  can  perceive  thy  unity,  thy  wisdom, 
thy  grace  of  kindness,  and  all  the  sense  of  things  fit  and 
beautiful  in  thee,  in  harmony  and  fellowship.  The  sun 
is  no  longer  without  a  voice  to  us.  ''Day  unto  day  utter- 
eth  speech,  and  night  unto  night  showeth  knowledge." 
On  every  side,  we  behold  the  work  of  thy  hand  and  thy 
thought  expressed  in  visible  things,  and  are  surrounded 
by  God. 

To-day  we  behold  thee.  Thou  art  causing  with  silent 
steps  the  advance  of  spring,  and  we  behold  already  in  the 
winter  the  preparations  for  its  departure.  Already  we 
realize  what  is  coming,  and  rejoice  in  the  advance  of 
warmth  and  of  re-entering  life,  and  in  all  the  oifspring  of 
things  that  shall  reach  out  their  arms  to  bless  thee. 
]^ow,  O  Lord,  be  pleased  to  encourage  us  by  these  symp- 
toms, that  we  may  think  that  so  thy  word  advances  to 
our  souls  with  light  from  afar,  and  with  warmth  stream- 
ing daily  warmer  with  all  the  vivific  influences,  which, 
falling  divinely  upon  our  thoughts,  fill  us  and  cause  them 
to  spring  up,  the  root  to  grow,  and  the  stem,  and  every 
part  thereof.  For  though  there  is  power  in  us,  it  is  power 
divinely  developed,  and  the  higlier  we  aspire,  the  more 
we  need  this  divine  help.  In  the  things  which  are  lowest 
to  us,  in  the  things  in  which  we  attach  and  adhere  to 
matter  and  the  world,  thou  hast  given  us  great  power  in 


OPENING    OF   THE    SPEING,  25 

and  of  ourselves;  and  as  we  rise  toward  our  higher  spirit- 
ual nature,  thou  hast  blessedly  made  ns  more  and  more 
dependent  upon  thee;  and  so  thon  hast  made  it,  that  we 
shall  come  nearer  to  God  as  we  grow  strong  in  ourselves. 
Thou  hast  directed  it  that  we  should  be  less  and  less  self- 
dependent  and  self-sustained,  and  more  and  more  enriched 
by  a  sovereign  and  blessed  dependence  upon  thee. 

And  this  is  onr  joy,  that  whatever  gift  we  receive 
blesses  not  alone  in  the  thing  that  it  is  itself,  but  in  the 
word  which  it  brings  of  remembrances  from  thee.  And 
as  the  flowers  of  the  earth  that  are  fair,  are  fairer  when 
love  sends  them  to  ns  ;  and  as  the  fruits  of  the  field  are 
good,  but  better  and  perfumed  with  a  rarer  flavor  when 
they  are  instances  and  significant  symbols  of  another's 
thought:  so  all  the  gifio  that  we  work  out  ourselves,  the 
things  which  we  pluck  from  the  boughs  of  life  by  our 
own  industries,  if  we  see  them  also  as  the  gifts  of  God, 
become  doubly  valuable.  Yet  at  times  all  those  things 
seem  to  us  only  in  their  lower  uses ;  but  they  are  sovereign 
and  unspeakably  precious  because  they  are  a  part  of  the 
thoughts  of  God  toward  us. 

It  is  our  joy  that  we  live  in  thee.  It  is  this  connection 
of  ours  with  thee  that  every  year  makes  us  more  and 
more  upright  and  immovable  as  the  sons  of  God.  We 
are  glad  that  we  do  not  float  hither  and  thither  like  bar- 
ren waifs ;  we  are  glad  that  we  do  not  stand  only  by  the 
adhesion  of  our  natural  powers  to  this  world ;  we  are 
glad  that  we  have  a  life  in  God,  and  that  we  are  col- 
lectively the  very  body  of  Christ,  of  which  he  is  the 
head. 

Now,  O  Lord,  wilt  thou  teach  us  more  and  more  by  an 
inward  experience  what  are  these  truths  of  fellowship  and 
unity  vdih  thee :  more  and  more  may  we  sit  down  be- 

2 


26  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

neatli  tliy  care  with  the  sweetest  delight.  "We  are  weak, 
but  thou  art  strong,  that  the  weak  may  be  made  stroug ; 
we  are  blind  or  very  short-sighted,  thou  art  penetrating 
and  omniscient,  seeing  the  end  from  the  beginning;  and 
thou  givest  wisdom  liberally  to  those  that  ask,  and  up- 
braidest  not.  Thou  art  never  mocking  us ;  thou  never 
givest  a  gift  with  a  reproach ;  thou  never  pardonest  with 
any  word  of  thy  thought  about  our  transgressions.  Thou 
only  art  tender  and  full  of  delicacy  of  feeling ;  thou  only 
forgettest,  and  yet  thou  art  the  unforgetting  One,  and 
nothing  can  be  hid  from  thy  thought,  nor  from  thy  memo- 
ry, which  is  the  universal  book,  where  all  being  writes 
itself;  but  our  sins  are  forgotten ;  they  sink  as  stones  at 
the  bottom  of  the  sea ;  thou  makest  mention  of  them  no 
more  forever ;  and  all  the  grace  which  we  abuse  to-day, 
rises  up  with  a  sweet  and  pleasant  fruit  to  meet  our  re- 
turn to-morrow.  Would  God  that  his  goodness  might 
lead  us  to  repentance,  and  that,  if  we  are  not  afraid  to  sin, 
we  might  be  at  least  ashamed  to  sin. 

May  Ave  remember  out  of  what  a  bosom  we  draw  such 
patience.  Thou,  that  boldest  thyself  in  everlasting  purity, 
art  not  indolent  nor  secure  in  thine  own  enjoyment;  thou 
that  art  continually  active  and  moving  through  all  crea- 
tion, exercising  thy  whole  power  and  vast  being  in  bene- 
faction; may  we  see  against  whom  it  is  that  we  thus 
sin — so  selfish,  so  narrow,  so -limited  and  plied  witli  vain 
and  contesting  passions.  In  all  our  folly,  passion,  and 
vanity,  in  all  our  sordid  selfishness,  we  are  continually 
arraying  ourselves  against  thee;  and  thou  continuest 
forgiving  with  long,  suffering  patience,  with  gentleness 
unmatched.  Thou,  everlasting  and  grand  in  the  glory 
of  thy  nature,  art  bearing  with  us,  and  carrying  us  as  it 
were  in  thj  bosom,  that  thou  mayest  develop  by  thy  pa- 


OPENI^'G    OF   THE    SPKIXG.  27 

tience  and  goodness  those  supernal  traits  that  shall  yet 
make  lis  fit  for  heaven  and  thine  own  society. 

We  bless  thee  for  thv  faithfulness :  we  bless  thee  for 

w  7 

thy  patient  continuance  in  well-doing  toward  us ;  we 
are  saved  by  thy  goodness  ;  it  is  our  only  hope.  There 
could  be  no  expectation  of  perseverance  in  life,  none  of 
triumph  in  death,  none  of  immortality,  were  it  not  found  in 
the  nature  of  thy  greatness  and  goodness.  And  now  we 
beseech  thee,  that  we  may  not  plead  this  argument  as 
a  reason  why  we  shall  go  on  in  sin,  that  grace  may 
more  and  more  abound.  May  every  thing  that  is  in  us 
be  touched  with  honor,  conscience,  love,  and  gratitude ; 
and  may  we  desire  to  consecrate  our  lives  within  and 
without,  of  all  thought  or  action,  of  spirit  or  body,  our 
whole  body  and  soul ;  may  we  consecrate  all  to  the 
service  of  our  God ;  for  it  is  our  reasonable  sacrifice.  We 
owe  ourselves  to  thee ;  we  do  justly  thus  judge,  that  '*  if 
one  died  for  all,  then  were  all  dead ;  and  he  died  that 
those  who  live  should  henceforth  not  live  unto  them- 
selves, but  unto  him  who  died  for  them."  So  may  we 
live,  and  more  and  more  abundantly  may  the  fruit  of  our 
life  answer  to  the  faithfulness  of  thy  labor  in  us  and 
for  us. 

We  beseech  thee  that  thou  wilt  help  every  one  in 
thy  presence  according  to  their  needs  ;  for  as  rains  come 
down,  and  yet  serve  every  plant  according  to  its  own 
nature,  coming  forth  in  different  colors,  difierent  blos- 
soms, and  difierent  fruit,  so  let  thy  grace,  which  we  may 
not  see,  yet  work  in  each  one  of  us  the  things  that  we 
specially  and  individually  need.  !May  we  remember 
that  we  are  before  thee  as  those  that  are  sick  before  the 
benevolence  of  their  physician  ;  and  may  we  nol  be 
ashamed  to  come  to  God  because  of  the  thoughts  which 


'l^ 


28  EEECHERS    PULPIT   DEVOTIOXS. 

W8  have  of  oiu'selves,  or  as  if  God  had  the  tlioughts 
which  other  men  have  of  us.  Ilov/ever  poor  vv^e  may  he, 
however  feehle  in  mind,  however  little  of  value  to 
Bociety,  however  we  may  have  sinned,  and  done  wickedly 
and  corruptly  in  deceits  and  hypocrisies,  and  in  long 
continuance  therein,  whatever  may  be  our  facility 
toward  evil,  and  our  slow  and  burdensome  way  toward 
goodness,  thou  art  One  that  canst  not  hear  the  first 
risings  of  desire  unaffected ;  and  that  which  is  in  us  as 
the  faint  trickling  of  a  drop,  springs  up  as  the  motion  of 
ocean  tides  in  thee ;  and  thou  art  ready  to  take  us  in  the 
greatness  of  thy  being  and  not  according  to  our  ov/n 
inward  strength  alone,  but  according  to  our  power 
multiplied  and  made  great  by  thy  power. 

May  every  one  venture  upon  God,  not  in  presump- 
tion, but  humbly;  conscious  of  weakness  and  of  want, 
needing  God  as  the  hungry  body  needs  bread  and  the 
thirsty  lips  water ;  may  we  come  to  thee  as  the  bread 
of  life  and  as  the  flowing  river  of  our  life.  AVe  beseech 
thee  that  there  may  be  none  who  shall  complain  that 
they  are  outcasts,  none  who  shall  knock  and  find  no 
opening,  none  who  shall  reach  out  empty  hands  drawn 
back  as  empty.  We  beseech  thee  that  thou  wilt  ful- 
fill thy  promises,  according  to  the  measure  of  thine  own 
declaration,  and  do  exceeding  abundantly  more  for  us 
than  we  ask  or  think. 

Our  life  in  this  sphere  is  passing ;  we  are  as  shadows 
which  travel  as  summer  winds  across  the  field ;  we  are 
making  haste  to  go  up  unto  thee,  O  God ;  may  we  every 
day  find  tliat  with  each  onward  step  of  time  there  is  an 
upward  step  in  character;  may  we  find  that  we  are 
coming  nearer  to  God,  and  know  that  we  are  becoming 
like  him;  may  we  feel  that  we  are  coming  near  to  the 


OPENING    OF   THE    SPEING.  20 

heavenly  host,  in  that  our  spirit  is  being  made  like  unto 
theirs ;  and  so  may  we  have  the  evidence  of  advancing 
immortality,  in  the  advance  of  all  those  tilings  that  shall 
make  immortality  a  blessedness  and  a  boon  of  God  to  us. 

Bless,  we  beseech  thee,  the  sick  ;  comf)rt  them  in  their 
sickness.     Bless  the  poor  ;  sustain  them  in  their  poverty. 

Bless  the  bereaved,  comfort  them  in  the  midst  of  thy 
strokes  that  have  desolated  their  joys.  If  there  be  frost 
that  hath  extinguished  their  garden  and  all  its  blossoms, 
may  they  remember  that  frosts  come,  and  spring  comes 
again;  and  may  they  hope  in  God.  We  beseech  thee 
that  thou  wilt  sustain  those  who  are  under  temptation, 
and  let  them  not  be  tempted  more  than  they  are  able  to 
bear.  O  Lord  Jesus,  stand  by  them ;  and,  in  the  day  of 
their  trial,  hold  them  up  for  thine  own  name's  sake. 

Be  with  those  that  are  burdened  with  the  cares  of  life  ; 
may  they  be  manful  in  their  duties ;  may  they  go  for- 
ward and  do  the  work  of  God  in  their  own  affairs  with 
diligence  and  with  gladness.  May  they  not  shrink  from 
the  battle  and  the  warfare  of  life,  but  everywhere  carry 
Christ ;  so  that  he  shall  be  honored  in  every  thing  that 
they  do. 

May  we  all  go  forward;  and  at  last  may  this  church, 
— we  that  sing  together,  rejoicing  in  sweet  and  heavenly 
sympathies  together, — may  this  great  embodied  church 
march  chanting  and  glorifying  God  from  earth  to  heaven, 
there  to  know  each  other ;  and  may  it  be  our  inexpressi- 
ble joy  forever  to  celebrate  thy  praise,  thy  faithful 
patience  of  love,  which  has  brought  us  safely  from  earth 
there ;  and  we  will  unite  together  in  heaven,  as  feebly 
and  imperfectly  here  we  unite  together,  in  ascribing  the 
praise  of  our  salvation  to  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the 
Holy  Spirit.     Amen. 


CLOSING  rRAYER. 

Our  heavenly  Father,  we  beseech  of  thee  that  thou  wilt  command  thy 
blessing  to  rest  upon  us,  and  especially  upon  the  truth  which  we  have 
contemplated.  Most  imperfectly  do  we  behold  it;  we  feel  borne  on  this 
celestial  flood.  How  feeble  is  our  flight,  and  how  endless  beyond  the 
utmost  reach  of  thought  are  the  outstretched  realms  yet  of  thought  when 
we  attempt  to  compass  thy  being;  when  we  attempt  to  digest  thy  nature, 
and  to  lay  one  faculty  and  one  attribute  against  another  and  harmonize 
thee.  0  we  are  as  insects  that  build  pyramids.  "We  know  not  what  we  do  ; 
we  hold  the  balances  in  our  finite  hand  to  weigh  the  infinite  and  the  eternal. 
But  this  we  know,  that  Christ  died,  and  that  he  died  from  love  to  man,  to 
save  the  world,  and  that  this  is  the  nature  of  God  revealed  in  Christ 
Grant,  we  beseech  thee,  that  we  may  be  fired  with  ardor  of  love  and 
admiration  for  such  a  God;  grant  that,  beholding  as  in  a  glass  the  glory 
of  the  Lord,  we  may  be  changed  into  the  same  image,  from  glory  to  glory, 
even  as  by  the  Spkit  of  the  Lord.    Amen. 


NEED  OF  GOD. 


Sabbath  Morning. 

INVOCATION. 

OtTR  Heavenlj  Father,  we  are  drawn  to  thee  ^y  our  wants.  Every 
day  our  needs  remind  us  of  ihee ;  and  thou  bast  taught  us  thus  to  in- 
terpret our  necessities,  and  we  are  called  to  God  with  every  hour  and 
at  every  moment.  Be  pleased  to  meet  us;  be  pleased  to  reveal  thyself  to 
us.  And  since  thou  art  the  light  and  the  life  of  every  one — since  thou  art 
the  bread  and  the  meat  upon  which  we  live — since  thou  art  all  m  all — grant 
that  we  may  behold  thee  supplying  our  necessities.  "We  rejoice  that  we 
again  hail  the  morning,  which  is  the  chiefest  and  best  of  all  the  week. 
"We  admire  the  place ;  we  rejoice  together.  And  while  our  thoughts  are 
half  drawn  downward  and  outward  by  memories  of  the  past,  here  we  are 
drawn  upward  again,  and  are  lifted  into  the  presence  of  our  God.  Grant, 
then,  while  we  shall  pursue,  for  our  edification,  the  exercises  of  public 
instruction  and  worship,  that  we  may  have  thy  helping  Spirit.  May  we 
understand  thy  truth,  and  feel  its  significance  and  power.  May  we 
rejoice  together,  and  in  the  fellowship  of  song  draw  near  to  thee  ;  may 
we  be  able  to  pray,  because  thou  dost  excite  the  desire  and  lead  the  way ; 
may  all  the  exercises  of  our  public  devotion,  and  all  the  joy  and  worship 
of  our  homes  to-day,  be  divinely  blest.  We  ask  it  for  Christ's  sake.  Amen. 

BEFORE  SERMON. 

We  rejoice,  O  Lord  our  God,  tliat  we  are  made  to 
need  thee.  We  are  not  created  and  dispersed,  as  are 
the  ostriches  of  the  desert,  that  go  abroad  upon  their 
desolate  errands  over  the  sand  from  the  moment  of  their 
birth ;  but  we  are  made  to  lie  in  the  bosom  of  thj  love, 
and  to  receive  our  growth  of  thee.      More  than  little 


32  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

children  need  their  parents,  do  we  need  thee ;  for  every 
part  of  our  life  needs  thee.  Our  whole  body  calls  out 
for  thee  upon  that  earth  which  thou  sustain  est  bj  thy 
right  hand.  We  stand  by  that  wisdom  which  guides  the 
spheres.  Our  destiny  is  controlled,  and  thou  art  obliged 
to  guard  us  in  all  our  wide  circuits,  wandering  like 
flying  stars. 

Thou  art  the  One  that  dost  pierce  the  distance,  and 
whose  arm  of  might  is  felt  in  the  utmost  recesses  and 
distances  of  creation.  Though  we  need  this  sustaining 
power  of  God,  sent  down  upon  us  in  suns  and  rains, 
in  times  and  seasons,  how  much  more  do  we  need 
thee  within,  to  know  how  to  lead  forth  our  thoughts, 
how  to  form  all  our  dispositions,  and  to  connect  our 
separate  parts  of  experiences  into  a  consistent  whole  and 
choice  character.  This  is  beyond  our  knowledge ;  for  we 
know  not  how  to  touch  the  springs  of  our  own  life- 
powers,  or  touch  them  but  ignorantly.  Thou  hast  fash- 
ioned us  within  and  without;  and  thou  art  to  us  a  father 
indeed,  and  an  everlasting  teacher,  guiding,  influencing, 
and  constraining  ;  and  we  rejoice  that  we  are  thus  neces- 
sitous of  thee.  In  the  very  sources  of  our  life  we  call 
out  for  God.  For  thou  art  supreme  in  excellence,  thou 
art  glorious  in  holiness,  thou  art  wonderful  in  praises. 
They  that  are  disabused  of  their  flesh,  and  stand  before 
tliee  in  all  the  glorious  liberty  of  spiritual  life — they  be- 
hold thee,  and  beholding,  break  forth  into  joy;  and  the 
joy  of  those  that  are  thus  made  rich  in  happiness  is  the 
peace  of  heaven. 

We  are  glad,  O  Lord,  that  thou  art  such  an  one,  and 
that  thou  art  pleased  to  call  thyself  our  father,  the  ever- 
lasting father,  though  the  mighty  God.  And  though  we 
are  at  the  extremities  of  creation,  though  all  our  way  up 


NEED    OP    GOD.  33 

to  greatness  is  yet  to  be  walked  and  traveled,  yet  we 
rejoice  that  tliou  art  pleased  to  call  us  thine  own,  and  to 
teach  us  that  thy  heart  yearns  after  us,  that  where  thou 
art,  there  we  may  be  also. 

'Now,  we  beseech  of  thee,  O  Lord  our  God,  that  thou 
wilt  fill  us  this  day  with  a  sense  of  thy  graciousness  and 
goodness.  May  a  sense  of  God  banish  our  doubts  and 
needless  fears.  May  we  feel  that  thou  dost  know  how 
to  sustain  thyself  and  thine  administration,  and  yet  take 
care  of  guilty  and  sinful  creatures,  that  their  faults  may 
not  be  their  ruin.  May  we  rejoice  in  believing,  though 
our  transgressions  have  been  many,  and  thongh  our 
offenses  may  have  been  heinous.  May  we  stand  in  the 
full  faith  of  that  wondrous  divine  wisdom  which  knows 
how  to  rescue  us  without  jeopardy  to  any  other  interests. 
We  do  not  understand  how.  What  do  we  understand 
of  thee,  or  of  any  thing  which  is  a  part  of  thine  infinity  ? 
But  we  believe  that  thou  art,  and  that  thou  canst  have 
mercy  on  whom  thou  wilt.  Thou  art  not  hedged  in  by 
our  prejudices,  nor  by  our  restrictions,  nor  by  any  neces- 
sities of  thy  government ;  but  thou  takest  counsel  from 
thine  own  royalty,  thou  askest  the  generosity  of  thy 
heart ;  and  by  that  love  which  is  infinite  in  all  its 
directions  and  attributes — by  that,  thou  dost  take  coun- 
sel, and  then  do  as  seemest  best  to  thee.  Thus  we  stand 
surrounded  by  all  the  transcendent  grandeur  of  divine  love. 

We  know  that  we  are  unworthy:  every  day  we 
feel  that  we  are  more  than  unworthy.  We  feel  that  if 
thou  v/ert  to  administer  according  to  any  scheme  of 
strict  justice — if  thou  wert  to  measure  our  life  by  any 
law,  or  by  our  own  consciousness  of  what  is  fit  and  be- 
coming— we  know  that  we  could  not  stand  for  an  hour. 
Thou  art  not  a  judge,  but  thou  art  our  father ;    thou 


34  beeciier's  pflpit  devotions. 

dost  not  wish  to  judge,  unless  we  press  through  all  thy 
mercies  and  compel  thee  to  accept  us  only  as  evil.  Thou 
Tvilt  not  be  a  judge  to  us  ;  thy  desire  is  to  be  a  friend  to 
the  friendless  :  thy  longing  is  to  be  a  father  to  ns.  Thou 
dost  come  and  beg  for  companionship,  for  thy  sake  and  for 
ours.  We  beseech  thee  that  we  may  rejoice  in  this,  that 
there  is  an  administration  possible  wherein  love  may  do 
its  royal  work ;  and  in  this  power,  grandeur,  wisdom, 
and  love  of  God,  we  have  all  our  hope  and  place  all  our 
expectation. 

Now,  we  beseech  thee,  that  this  may  not  lead  to  pre- 
sumption. May  we  not  harden  ourselves,  and  of  necessity 
be  cast  out  from  the  favor  of  divine  love,  by  believing 
that  thou  wilt  do  all  things  in  spite  of  our  recreancy  and 
against  our  contumacy.  May  we  rather  be  led  by  the 
goodness  of  God  to  repentance.  May  we  be  ashamed  to 
treat  thee  ill  because  thou  treatest  us  well.  May  we 
be  ashamed  to  sin  because  thou  art  willino^  to  foro-ive. 
We  would  not  so  treat  any  earthly  friend,  and  O  deliver 
us  from  the  ignominy  that  shall  so  offend  thee  or  so  treat 
God.  We  beseech  of  thee  that  we  may  heartily  repent, 
day  by  day,  of  conscious  imperfection  and  folly;  and 
wilt  thou  strengthen  us,  not  according  to  our  wisdom  in 
what  we  need ;  give  us,  but  according  to  thy  wisdom  : 
for  we  know  how  we  every  day  overrule  our  children, 
and  think  further  than  they  think,  and  prepare  more 
than  they  dream  is  needful,  and  do  a  thousand  times 
more  by  the  light  of  our  larger  life  and  experience  than 
they  would  desire  if  they  should  speak  their  wants ;  and 
how  little  of  all  that  we  do  do,  they  ask.  So  we  beseech  of 
thee,  according  to  the  royalty  of  thy  greatness  above 
ours,  that  thou  wilt  do  for  us  exceeding  abundantly,  more 
than  we  ask  or  think. 


NEED    OP   GOD.  35 

And  we  beseecli  of  tliee  that  we  may  have  the  confir- 
mation of  that  blessed  estate,  the  expectation  of  which, 
and  the  sense  of  its  near  approach,  affords  us  consolation, 
when  the  time  shall  come  in  which  we  shall  stand  free 
from  imperfection,  and  be  worthy  of  the  divine  loving. 
We  cannot  bear  forever  to  be  a  burden  upon  thy  bosom. 
^Ye  cannot  bear  forever  to  think  that  thou  art  obliged  to 
put  forth  mercy  and  to  forgive  at  every  single  step.     "We 
do  not  love  to  weary  thy  patience  or  hang  forever  upon 
the  hands  of  thy  love.      O  our  God,  we  rejoice  that  there 
shall  come  a  day  when  it  shall  not  be  so ;  when  we  shall 
be  gathered  with  those  that  are  garnered,  when  we  shall 
go  with  those  that  are  gone,  when  we  shall  rise  with 
those  that  have  flown  upward,  and  are  to-day  chanting 
their  joy  in  the  ears  of  Jehovah.     We  rejoice  that  we  shall 
inherit  what  they  know  who  have  the  fruition  of  that 
which  we  expect  to  be  hereafter.     And  in  all  the  steps 
that  yet  are  to  be  taken,  in  all  the  experiences  of  life,  in 
heart  troubles,  in  passions  to  be  borne,  in  trials,  in  sor- 
rows, in  heartaches,  in  yearnings,  longings,  and  unsatis- 
fyings ;   in  temptations   and  struggles,  in  downfalls   or 
in  uprising  victories ;  in  all  that  we  bear,  or  endure,  or 
achieve,  or  suffer,  grant  that  we  may  have  a  sense  of 
God  with  us — God  with  us  in  providence,  God  with  us 
more  blessed  than  that,  in  the  Spirit  witnessing  in  our 
spirit,  touching  every  thought,  imbuing  every  affection, 
and  dwelling  with  us  as  a  friend  with  a  friend,  by  the 
sweet  affinities  of  like  feeling. 

Now,  we  beseech  thee,  O  God,  that  thou  wilt  so  give 
thyself  unto  us,  as  the  bread  of  life ;  for  if  thus  thou  art 
ministering  to  us  thou  wilt  become  as  our  food,  as  om* 
drink,  and  as  our  raiment.  Thou  wilt  be  to  us  as  a 
shadow  of  a  great  rock  in  a  weary  land.     We  shall  find 


36  beecher's  pulpit  devotioxs. 

in  tLee  all  that  the  earth  fails  to  secure  us ;  thou  wilt 
supplement  every  joy,  thou  wilt  make  every  experience 
of  gladness  yet  higher  gladness ;  thou  wilt  make  things 
seemino^ly  pure,  seven  times  greater  in  purity ;  thou 
wilt  deepen  all  true  afiections,  and  eliace  all  base  ones  ; 
thou  wilt  build  us  up  into  all  truth,  justice,  rectitude, 
and  loveliness,  for  thine  own  sake  and  for  ours;  and  so 
may  our  life  be  a  life  hidden  with  God. 

We  pray  that  thou  wilt  bless  those  that  stand  in  thy 
presence  together  this  morning.  How  unlike  are  we  one 
to  another,  and  how  exactly  alike  are  we  before  thee ! 
How  different  in  our  parentage,  how  wondrously  dif- 
ferent in  our  education,  how  different  in  all  the  parts  of 
our  nature,  and  in  all  those  habits  that  have  been  formed 
upon  them ;  in  our  views,  prejudices,  and  associations ; 
BO  different  that  we  scarcely  know  how  to  get  along  with 
each  other,  because  our  pride  teaches  us  to  put  emphasis 
on  the  things  in  which  we  differ  one  from  another ;  but 
thou  lookest  upon  us  in  the  things  we  agree.  All  of  us 
are  children  of  the  dust,  all  of  us  have  common  weak- 
nesses, all  of  us  are  alike  temptable,  stumbling,  and  fall- 
ing. All  depend  upon  thee  in  the  great  needs  of  our 
being,  all  marching  with  one  step  toward  the  glorious 
di sin thr ailment  of  the  eternal  sj^here;  all  of  us  are 
redeemed  by  Christ's  sufferings  and  righteousness ;  all 
waiting  for  the  promise  of  the  Father.  How  many  and 
how  great  are  the  things  that  band  us  together;  that 
stamp  upon  us  the  name  of  God,  and  give  us  a  common 
brotherhood. 

We  beseech  thee  that  we  may  feel  this  high  and 
solemn  fellowship,  this  gi'andeur  and  glory  of  unity,  every 
day  when  we  come  together  to  worship.  May  we  be 
lifted  above  form,  and  carried  above  all  mere  exponents 


NEED   OF   GOD.  87 

of  truth,  and  stand  in  the  fellowship  of  those  blessed 
truths  in  Christ  Jesus.  May  we  learn  to  love  one 
another,  not"  with  mere  sentiment,  but  with  truth,  and  a 
charity  that  will  show  itself  in  all  the  phases  of  life. 
May  we  feel  that  to  love  is  better  than  to  be  great ;  is 
better  than  to  be  reiined ;  is  better  than  to  be  wise ;  that 
love  takes  precedence  of  all  prophecy,  of  every  kind  of 
knowledge,  and  of  the  gift  of  tongues  ;  that  love  is  higher 
than  hope  and  faith,  and  is  the  very  royalty  of  God. 

Bless  those  that  need  special  comfort  this  morning, 
and  we  pray  that  thou  wilt  grant  imto  them  those  whis- 
perings which  we  may  never  utter  without  knowing 
the  conscious  peace  which  comes  from  God's  touch.  O 
do  thou  strengthen  those  that  have  troubles  ahead ; 
may  they  not  be  afraid  of  them ;  may  they  go  as  ship- 
masters go,  sailing  not  only  in  the  day  but  through  the 
night,  upon  the  sea ;  and  though  they  see  no  land,  may 
they  have  thy  word  tliat  shall  be  a  sure  guide  to  them ; 
and  as  thou  hast  said  that  all  things  shall  work  together 
for  good,  may  they  not  be  afraid  to  go  into  trouble,  but 
may  they  be  saved  by  hope  and  by  trust  in  God.  Are 
any  in  affliction  ?  have  any  thought  that  their  life  was 
well  nigh  crushed  out  of  them  ?  May  they  now  rise  up 
from  their  desolations  to  be  ashamed  that  they  thought 
themselves  overthrown,  and  never  again  to  be  sped  out 
of  God's  hand.  May  they  feel  that  they  can  never  be 
separated  from  the  love  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  that 
they  are  touched  with  trouble  only  that  they  may  be 
more  gloriously  builded  up  for  the  eternal  world  ;  and  if 
they  know  it  not  by  thy  teaching,  yet  may  they  believe 
that  all  things  are  meant  to  work  for  their  good.  Teach 
them  how  to  bear  what  they  cannot  understand,  but 
more  and  more  to  take  the  spiritual  discernment  of  what 


38  eeecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

the  cliastisements  and  tlie  dealings  of  God  are  witli  tliem. 
Bless  thou  those  who  may  he  strangei'S,  and  although 
they  may  feel  themselves  to  he  strangers,  may  they 
nevertheless  have  the  fellowship  and  welcome  of  friends. 
Since  they  are  in  their  Father's  house,  why  are  we  not 
tlieir  brethren  ?  They  are  of  our  kindred,  and  are  walk- 
ing with  us  toward  our  Father's  house.  Grant,  we 
beseech  thee,  that  those  that  are  desolate,  those  that 
have  come  sick,  those  that  have  come  hither  with  heart- 
ache, those  that  have  no  comforters  nor  counselors,  may 
find  thee  so  comforting  that  this  house  shall  be  to  them 
the  sweetest  place  on  earth,  and  an  anticipation  of  that 
blessed  world  where  God  shall  be  their  God,  and  all  tears 
shall  be  wiped  from  all  eyes.  And  to  Father,  Son,  and 
Holy  Ghost  be  praise  forever.     Amen. 


GOD'S    GREATKESS    MA:N^'S    SECURITY. 


Sabbath    Morning. 

INVOCATION. 

"We  thank  thee,  our  Father,  that  we  are  drawn  by  thine  invisible  hand, 
and  that  we  are  permitted,  day  by  day,  to  recognize  the  signal  and  the 
invitation  to  come  boldly  to  the  Throne  of  Grace  to  obtain  mercy  and  help 
in  time  of  need.  Grant  us  this  morning  with  thine  invitation  thy  bless- 
ing, even  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  By  thy  life  inflame  ours;  and 
chiefly  give  us  life  in  that  part  which  brings  us  near  to  thee  and  near  to 
heavenly  realities.  May  the  world  be  as  the  ocean  is  afar  off,  the  thun- 
ders of  whose  waves  is  lost;  whose  ceaseless  agitation  is  forgot.  To  us  may 
there  be  no  sound  of  trouble,  nor  remembrance  of  care,  nor  distress  of  any 
kind.  Hide  us  to-day  in  thy  paviUon;  and  in  thy  sanctuary  so  graciously 
meet  us  and  so  abundantly  bless  us,  that  it  shall  be  indeed  to  us  the  very 
gate  of  heaven.  "Wilt  thou  help  us  to  read  thy  word  to  profit ;  wilt  thou  help 
us  to  speak  forth  from  it  counsels  of  truth  and  wisdom  ;  wilt  thou  help  us 
while  we  draw  reverently  near  to  thee  in  prayer,  and  grant  that  it  may 
not  be  an  unfamihar  way  to  our  footsteps.  Help  us  to  sing  together, 
rejoicing  in  the  fellowship  of  common  song,  and  offering  up  praise  to  thee. 
May  the  exercises  in  the  sanctuary,  in  our  own  homes,  or  in  the  privacy 
of  our  hearts,  please  thee  and  profit  us,  for  Christ's  sake.     Amen. 

BEFORE  SERMON, 

Thou,  O  God,  art  exalted  and  art  supreme ;  there  is 
no  couDselor  for  tliee ;  there  is  none  that  is  equal,  none 
that  can  dispute  thine  authority,  or  wage  war  against  thy 
power.  Thy  very  thought  is  destruction,  is  annihilation ; 
the  very  movement  of  thy  will  is  mightier  than  the 
thunders  of  the  air.     Thou  canst,  w^ith  the  very  turn  and 


40  beecher's  pulpit  devotioxs. 

Bweep  of  tliy  being,  briTsli  all  created  iritelligences  out, 
and  they  are  as  dust.  Nations  before  thee  are  but  as  the 
drop  of  the  bucket,  as  the  light  dust  of  the  balance,  a 
very  little  thing.  Thou  sittest  on  the  circle  of  the  earth ; 
all  its  inhabitants  are  but  as  grasshoppers;  and  yet, 
though  thou  art  by  thy  greatness  so  transcendently  lifted 
above  us, — it  is  by  thy  greatness  that  thou  art  brought 
exceedingly  near  to  every  one  of  us.  Thy  power,  wisdom, 
and  controlling  agency  are  not  thee  ;  they  are  but  as  thy 
hand.  In  thy  soul  is  royalty,  and  grandeur,  and  divinity 
indeed,  for  they  are  un wasted,  they  are  un quenched  and 
endless  as  the  love  from  which  we  are  born,  by  which 
we  were  nursed,  in  which  we  exist  and  live.  There  is 
that  spirit  which  goes  forth  and  fills  the  heaven  and  fills 
the  earth,  and  is  as  an  atmosphere  of  creation — for  thou 
dost  enwrap  all  things  that  thou  makest ;  and  the  con- 
stancy of  thy  love  and  regard  is  over  all  thy  works ; 
and  in  the  heights  and  in  the  depths,  and  throughout  all 
space  boundless  and  infinite,  thou  art  God  over  all, 
blessed  forever,  and  forever  loving. 

TTe  praise  tliee ;  we  rejoice  in  thee.  It  is  not  a 
trouble  to  us  to  be  exalted  and  gathered  up  into  the 
greatness  of  thy  being.  We  love  to  lose  the  thought  of 
our  personality  and  our  identity  As  children  t^iat  love 
their  parents,  and  are  never  so  near  to  a  blessed  perfec- 
tion in  themselves  as  when  gathered  in  the  arms  of  fond- 
ling love ;  so  we  are  never  so  strong,  so  clear  in  ourselves 
and  in  our  own  right,  so  firm,  as  when  we  are  lost  in  the 
sympathy  and  glorious  goodness  of  our  God.  Be  pleased 
to-day,  then,  to  shine  abroad  and  gather  us  by  thy 
shininor.  As  in  the  morninof  the  sun  £roes  forth  and 
gathers  all  the  drops  of  dew  that  wait  his  comnig,  for 
their  glory  and  their  life  to  depart,  so  gather  all  of  our 


GODS    GREATNESS    MAN's   SECURITY.  41 

grateful  thouglits  to-day,  all  the  loves  that  are  tremulous 
upon  us  to-day,  all  our  gladness  and  our  j^raise ;  and 
though  it  is,  in  the  proportion  of  thy  being,  as  dew-drops 
are  in  proportion  to  the  sun,  yet  thou  art  One  that  art 
not  worshiped  by  dominion. 

Thou  art  pleased  with  the  humble  and  with  the  con- 
trite, witli  such  as  are  of  a  broken  spirit ;  thou  art  pleased 
with  the  first  and  most  imperfect  sigh  of  repentance  and 
forsaking  of  evil  and  yearning  to  the  truth.  Thy  smile 
is  enough  to  bring  thee  to  ns  with  sweet  attraction  and 
instant  relief.  We  ask  not  that  thou  shouldst  accept  an 
offering  to-day  glorious  in  its  fullness ;  we  come  as  imper- 
fect creatures  in  the  school  of  development ;  all  that  we 
bring  is  imperfect,  and  much  is  most  sinful  both  by  omis- 
sion and  commission.  We  come  to  thee  knowing  that  we 
are  spared ;  that  it  is  mercy  which  guards  our  hearts ;  that 
it  is  the  long-suffering  of  God  with  our  indolence,  help- 
lessness, pride,  and  selfishness,  that  gives  us  leave  to  be 
and  to  have  comfort  in  being  by  drawing  near.  We 
come  not  bringing  purified  gold  and  silver  as  offerings  to 
thee;  but  faint,  and  hungry,  and  weary,  and  often  dis- 
couraged, and  conscious  deeply  of  our  own  demerit  and 
sinfulness. 

We  come  before  thee  because  thou  hast  revealed  thy- 
self a  God  of  tender  mercy,  a  Saviour  of  sinners.  Lift 
thou  upon  us  the  light  of  thy  countenance,  for  we  are  in 
darkness.  Send  us  mercies,  for  we  are  weak.  Love  us, 
not  because  we  are  able  to  repay  thee,  but  because  thou 
knowest,  in  the  royalty  of  thy  nature,  how  to  love  the 
unworthy  and  even  the  unlovely.  Grant,  we  beseech 
thee,  that  to-day  we  may  have  developed  toward  us  the 
Divine  nature,  in  magnanimity,  in  generosity,  in  all  ten- 
der mercy  and  kindness. 


42  eeecher's  pulpit  devotioxs. 

Are  there  those  in  thy  presence  that  have  walked  a 
weary  way  of  life  and  that  wonder  why  they  were  born  ? 
Are  there  those  that,  often  like  thy  servant  of  old,  have 
Bat  down  in  their  wilderness  and  sighed  and  prayed  that 
they  might  die  ?  Wilt  thou  draw  near  to  such  and  re- 
buke their  discontent  and  their  want  of  faith.  Rebuke 
the  aimlessness  of  that  life  that  longs  to  depart.  Rebuke 
all  that  is  wrong  in  them,  yet  tenderly:  bind  up  their 
trouble,  and  reveal  to  them  the  purposes  that  thou  hast 
in  their  life  now  and  hereafter,  so  that  they  shall  be  able 
to  wait  until  God  shall  call  them  home. 

Are  there  those  in  thy  presence  whose  way  of  life  has 
always  seemed  dark  to  their  understanding  ?     Grant  that 
they  may  live  by  faith  and  not  by  the  knowledge  of  their 
own  outvv^ard  life.     Are  there  those  that  mourn  before 
thee,  humbled  in  the  consciousness  of  repeated  transgres- 
Bion  ?     Wilt  thoii  speak  to  them  those  words  of  peace 
that  are  irresistible   in  the  disturbed  conscience;  may 
they  know  that  thou  hast  forgiven  them  and  put  round 
aboat  them  the  arms  of  thy  comforting  grace.     Speak 
Buch  words  of  comfort  that  they  shall  not  dare  to  go  from 
thee  any  more.     O  Lord  Jesus,  thou  art  a  fountain  of 
•  consolation  ;  and  comfort  is  most  needed  in  the  clouded 
conscience,  in  the  broken  spirit,  in  the  discouraged  faith. 
To  any  that  have  backslidden ;  to  any  that  are  disconso- 
late in  view  of  their  evidences  of  piety  or  their  want  of 
evidence ;  to  any  that  vacillate,  that  break  their  resolu- 
tions day  by  day,  and  vrho  have  occasion  to  set  down 
f^rievous  and  bitter  things  of  themselves  and   against 
themselves,  O  Lord,  wilt  thou  be  gracious  unto  all  such; 
encourage  them  to  gird  up  their  loins  anew  for  the  con- 
flict of  life.     Thou  didst  not  call  them  deceptively ;  thou 
didst  tell  them  that  they  were  to  take  the  cross  and  fol- 


god's  greatness  man's  secueitt.  43 

low  tliee.  Thou  didst  teach  them  they  were  to  be  sol- 
diers, not  with  constant  victories  but  with  constant 
defeats  until  the  end,  when  they  should  have  a  glorious 
victory  in  their  final  release.  May  they  persevere,  and 
not  be  distressed  by  the  roughness  of  the  -way,  nor  by  the 
number  of  their  adversaries.  Are  any  in  thy  presence 
longing  for  a  fuller  communication  of  thy  grace  and 
clearer  visions  of  God  ?  May  they  see  to  it  that  this  is 
not  another  form  of  insidious  selfishness ;  that  they  do 
not  desire  to  sit  upon  the  top  of  the  mount  in  glorious 
transfiguration  while  Satan  casts  many  to  the  ground 
possessed.  May  they  not  desire  their  own  satisfaction 
even  in  the  vision  of  God ;  may  they  desire  above  all 
things  such  a  view  of  thee  as  shall  make  them  more 
active,  more  self-denying,  more  cheerful,  more  redolent 
of  the  Christian  graces,  more  radiant  in  the  light  of 
holiness. 

Are  there  any  in  thy  presence  who  remember  when, 
in  their  childhood,  they  were  led  along  the  path  to  the 
sanctuary  ?  Are  there  any  who  remember  the  stillness 
of  their  home  and  their  childhood  Sabbath,  who  have 
since  cast  aside  prayer  and  restraint;  who  have  broken, 
without  compunction,  the  laws  of  God,  and  gone  away 
from  all  the  lessons  and  teachings  of  their  youth  ?  Are 
there  any  upon  whom  steal  gentle  thoughts,  who  yearn 
somewhat  against  their  own  purposes  and  are  musing 
what  these  things  shall  mean  ?  Art  thou  not  preparing 
in  these  earlier  breaths  of  spring  to  send  summer  to 
their  souls  ? 

Be  pleased,  O  God,  to  melt  obdurate  hearts.  Be 
pleased  to  lead  to  generous  repentance  those  who  have 
wasted  all  the  bounties  of  God  in  making  themselves 
selfish   and   proud.      How  hateful  must  they  seem  to 


>'"* 


44  eeeciiee's  pulpit  devotions. 

themselves  in  the  Judgment-day  if  they  shall  go  up  un- 
prepared for  it,  all  the  wealth  of  God's  kindness  and 
mercy  having  been  perverted  to  their  destruction  !  We 
pray  that  thou  wilt  turn  them  back  before  it  is  too  late ; 
put  their  feet  in  the  right  way,  and  give  them  a  song  of 
praise  and  rejoicing  in  God.  O,  how  great  must  be 
the  theme  of  gratulation  and  thanksgiving  in  some  if 
they  shall  ever,  through  grace,  redeem  their  souls  from 
destruction  !  O,  if  we  are  to  love  in  the  proportion  in 
which  we  are  forgiven,  what  wealth  of  love,  what  depths 
of  love  do  we  owe  to  thee  for  thy  wondrous  mercy  to  us, 
mercy  untold  and  that  cannot  be  told,  now  nor  ever. 

We  pray  that  thou  wilt  bless  not  only  us,  but  all 
wbom  our  hearts  remember.  What  pilgrims  are  our 
loves  that  go  forth,  ]N"orth,  South,  East,  and  West,  royally 
gathering  in  great  multitudes  !  Be  pleased  to  make  our 
very  thoughts  the  ministers  of  thy  mercy.  May  those 
whom  we  love  find  tbeir  hearts  flowing  already  as  if 
some  angel  sent  by  our  prayer  ministered  them. 

Bless  all  the  congregations  that  worship  thee  to-day  ;  for 
although  we  may  mark  distinctions,  and  learn  to  suspect, 
and  to  hate  even  and  divide  ourselves  against  ourselves 
and  our  brethren,  are  not  all  men  sinful  at  the  best,  and 
are  not  all  striving  with  their  faces  toward  Jerusalem  in 
the  great  imperiled  fock  which  thou  art  leading  and 
guarding  ? 

Be  pleased  to  make  the  protecting  palm  of  God  to  be 
over  our  hemisphere;  and  though  there  is  rage,  and 
wrath,  and  resistance,  though  there  are  wars  and  rumors 
of  wars,  agitations  and  threatenings  and  tumults,  bo 
pleased,  in  thine  own  infinite  peace,  still  to  look  calmly 
on  and  restrain  the  wrath  of  man  within  the  appointed 
bounds  of  thy  providence,  and  by  the  things  which  men 


god's   greatness    man's   SECURITr.  45 

mean  for  wrong,  work  out  rigliteousness  ;  and  by  the  very 
passions  witli  whicli  men  seek  to  break  over  the  bomids 
of  God's  justice,  be  pleased  to  establish  the  things  that 
are  right  and  destroy  the  things  that  are  wrong;  and 
wilt  thou  breathe  into  thy  people  a  heart  of  integrity 
and  a  sense  of  divine  justice.  Grant  that  they  may  hold 
the  truth  in  love,  and  justice  in  love,  and  firmness  in 
love,  and  may  they  be  clothed  with  love  as  with  a  gar- 
ment, and  go  forth  to  all  purposes  of  equity  and  to  all 
wisdoms  imbued  with  this  divinest  wisdom. 

And  now  if  thou  hast  appointed  us  for  judgments  by 
reason  of  our  great  sins,  we  beseech  thee  that  we  may 
not  be  as  brute  beasts  that  know  not  why  they  are 
stricken  and  cower  down.  May  we  understand  why 
God  is  in  judgment  with  us.  May  we  not  look  round 
about  for  the  sins  of  men  in  general,  but  may  we  under- 
stand the  sins  of  luxury,  of  selfishness,  of  lust,  of  domin- 
ion, and  our  carelessness  of  God's  creatures,  our  supreme 
indifierence  to  those  things  which  are  in  the  heart  of 
God  as  the  very  elements  of  life  itself — our  heaven-defy- 
incc  infidelities  in  our  treatment  of  our  fellow-men.  We 
beseech  thee  that  we  may  repent  of  those  sins  which  thou 
art  out  in  judgment  against ;  we  pray  that  thou  wilt,  in 
thine  own  manner  and  in  thine  own  time  and  by  thine 
own  appointed  instruments,  bring  to  pass  the  day  of 
peace,  a  day  in  which  peace  shall  be  unbroken  because 
it  shall  stand  upon  the  unshaken  foundations  of  equity. 
May  justice  rule  throughout  all  our  States,  and  love  be 
the  spirit  of  administration.  May  divine  wisdom  thus 
supersede  human  passion  and  wickedness  in  all  our  land. 

Raise  up,  as  thou  hast  never  failed  to  raise  in  times 
past,  men  that  shall  be  God's  messengers  in  the  time  of 
peril.     Thou  gavest  to  our  fathers  counselors  and  lead- 


46  beechee's  pulpit  devotions. 

ers  after  thine  own  heart ;  tlion  didst  rear  up  in  times  of 
peril  men  that  were  leaders  and  counselors.  They  are 
not  all  gone  from  thy  mind  and  power,  thou  canst  yet 
raise  up  men  and  give  them  the  wisdom  the  times  re- 
quire. Give  forth  men  who  may  understand  the  coun- 
sels of  God,  and  know  how  to  bear  them  successfully  to 
the  discordant  minds  of  others.  Accept  our  thanks  that 
the  world  is  not  permitted  longer  to  slumber ;  it  is  not 
pleasant  to  be  awakened,  but  it  is  joyful  to  faith  to  know 
that  thou  art  abroad,  that  thou  art  shaking  the  nations, 
that  the  tremblings  of  the  earth  underneath  are  but  the 
resoundings  of  God's  footsteps  coming  to  judgment  for 
purposes  of  mercy.     Even  so,  go  forward. 

We  are  glad  for  Italy,  for  Europe,  for  America.  We 
are  glad  ever  when  thou  comest,  even  Vvdien  thou 
com  est  to  us  and  to  the  world  robed  in  clouds  and 
darkness ;  no  brightness  is  bright  without  the  presence 
of  our  God ;  and  no  darkness  can  drive  us  or  be  terrible 
in  any  wise  that  carries  God  with  it ;  for  we  wait  for  thy 
law,  we  wait  for  the  working  out  of  thine  immutable 
counsels ;  bring  all  of  thy  firm  decrees  to  an  end  in  thine 
own  appointed  way.  O  Lord  God,  consummate  thy 
purposes,  and  redeem  the  whole  earth ;  until  that  glorious 
day  of  prediction  shall  come,  when  all  men  shall  dwell 
together  in  peace  and  fertile  love,  when  none  shall  have 
occasion  to  say,  "  Know  the  Lord,"  for  all  shall  know 
thee,  from  the  least  unto  the  greatest.  Hear  us  and 
accept  of  us  for  Christ's  sake.    Amen. 


JOY   IN    THE    GOVERNMENT   OF    GOD. 


Sahlath  Morning. 

INVOCATION. 

0  God,  so  manifest  thyself  here  every  Sabbath,  that  hither  shall  come 
the  poor,  the  sorrowful,  the  tempted,  the  outcast,  and  the  distressed.  May 
there  never  come  a  wanderer  here  to  be  sent  away  without  a  portion  ;  and 
may  this  be  a  house  of  mercies,  as  a  token  that  it  is  the  house  of  God. 
"Wilt  thou  bless  us  in  all  our  further  life,  and  grant  that  all  the  streams  of 
our  varied  life  may  flow  heavenward,  until  at  last  we  como  to  Mount  Ziou 
before  God  ;  and  to  thy  name  shall  be  the  praise  of  our  salvation,  Father 
Son,  and  Spirit.     Amen. 

Thou  eternal  God  !  before  tlie  mountains  were  brought 
forth  or  ever  thou  hadst  formed  the  earth,  even  from 
everlasting  to  everlasting,  thou  art  God.  Thou  dwellest 
in  the  fullness  of  the  praises  of  heaven.  The  uncon- 
strained hearts  of  those  whom  thou  dost  bless,  bless 
thee  again.  Thou  dost  make  all  thy  creatures  happy, 
and  art  thyself  receiving  the  testimonies  of  their  joy. 
We  are  glad  for  thy  supremacy ;  we  are  glad  that  our 
Supreme  God  is  such  an  one  as  thou  art.  "We  rejoice 
that  we  were  born,  since  now  there  is  open  to  us  such  a 
destiny.  We  have  such  help  of  thee,  and  such  hope 
through  Jesus  Christ ;  we  have  so  glorious  a  home 
toward  which  we  are  going,  that  though  there  be  peril, 
and  pain,  and  trials  by  the  way,  yet  we  are  glad  for  the 
journey,  and  anticipate  that  day  when  we  shall   look 


48  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

back  upon  all  tlie  perils  of  this  life  as  men  look  upon 
retreating  storms  spanned  with  the  bow  of  God.  We 
rejoice  that  we  may  comfort  ourselves  without  waiting 
for  heaven  ;  yea,  that  thou  art  giving  us  the  beginning 
now  of  its  spirit,  and  causing  us  to  taste  some  of  its  joys ; 
enough  to  cheer  us  ;  enough  for  the  way. 

We  beseech  thee,  O  Lord  our  God,  that  we  may  look 
upon  our  life  not  as  some  chance,  not  as  some  tumultu- 
ous whirl  in  which  we  have  but  a  chance.  May  we  un- 
derstand that  this  which  is  to  us  so  much  disturbed  and 
stirred  up  and  strangely  contrary,  is  appointed  of  thee 
to  be  a  school ;  and  that  men  are  to  be  educated  in  this 
life  by  contact  with  its  aiFairs,  and  by  the  discharge  of 
its  duties.  May  we  understand  that  those  things  which 
befall  us  do  not  spring  from  the  gi'ound  ;  that  our  trials 
and  our  troubles  are  not  like  arrows  sent  by  some  ad- 
versary ;  that  the  restrictions  and  the  difficulties,  the 
burdens  borne,  the  tasks  painful  to  be  performed,  are  not 
imposed  upon  us  as  if  they  were  easy ;  that  there  is  an 
oveiTuling  wisdom,  a  guiding  hand,  a  purpose  of  life ; 
and  that  though  we  do  not  go  with  our  Teacher  intelli- 
gently, understanding  what  he  means,  yet  thou  dost 
guide  us  and  conduct  us.  May  we  be  disposed  to  accept 
each  day  therefore  as  a  day  appointed  of  God  ;  and  may 
we  search  in  all  our  affairs  how  to  approve  ourselves  be- 
fore our  great  Teacher  ;  and  may  each  day  educate  us  in 
truth,  in  justice,  in  honor,  in  love,  in  fidelity,  in  patience, 
in  meekness,  in  all  things  that  are  good.  May  there  be 
no  day  in  which  we  are  not  victorious  over  some  tempta- 
tion, over  some  evil ;  no  day  in  which  we  are  not  heroic 
in  some  endurance  or  achievement  ;  no  day  in  which  we 
are  not  imitators  of  thy  divine  example. 

We  beseech  thee  that  thus  every  thing  may  become 


JOY   IlSr   THE    GOVEBNMENT    OF    GOD.  49 

sacred  to  us,  nothing  trivial,  nothing  unnecessary,  noth- 
ing strange.     Let  us  not  fall  into  the  folly  of  measuring 
thy  wisdom  by  the  rule  of  our  unknowing,  because  we 
cannot  explain  thy  ways,  nor  see  thy  reasons,  supposing 
each  to  be  strange  and  wonderful.     Why  shouldst  not 
thou,  O   God,  in  the  wide  power    and  sweep   of   thy 
being,  work   beyond  our  understanding?      We  rejoice 
that  thou  art  so  much  greater  than    we ;    we    cannot 
understand    thy    goings,    except     in    parts;     but    we 
rejoice  to  believe  that  w^e  are  emerging  ;  we  are  coming 
through  our  ignorance.     Already  there   are   streaks  of 
light,  and  by  and  by  the  day  shall  dawn,  and  we  shall 
go  forth  through  that  gate,  hated  of  men  and  beloved  of 
thee;    and    stand  in    that    land  where,  ransomed    and 
released,    enlightened     and     sanctified,    y/e    shall    see 
thee  as  thou  art,  and  all  things  as  they  are,  and  delu- 
Bions,  and  deceptions,  and  appearances,  shall  have  fled 
away  forever,  and  we  shall  know  even  as  we  are  known. 
We  rejoice  in  that  coming  glory ;  we  have  a  gentle 
expectation  and  an  humble  hope  of  it.     May  we  not  fall 
by  the  way  ;  may  we  not  become  in  any  wise  cast-aways, 
and  so  come  short  of  this  eternal  inheritance;  for  what  mat- 
ters it  what  we  suffer  here  if  tliat  shall  be  ours  ?     What 
avails  it  what  we  have  here,  if  we  lose  that  eternal  glory  ? 
We  beseech  thee  that  thou  wilt  teach  us  how  to  teach 
others — how  to  teach  those  that  are  dependent  upon  our 
examj)le  and  instruction— how  to  teach  our  children  and 
those  that  are  put  beneath  us  at*  pupils.     May  v,^e  know 
how  to  guide  them  in  secular  and  worldly  things,  that 
they  shall  become  monitors  and  teachers  of  better  things. 
And  we  beseech  thee  that  the  young  in  our  midst  may 
never  lose  the  purity  of  youth,  nor  be  tarnished  by  early 
wickedness.     From  the  morning  of  their  life  may  they 

3 


50  beechee's  pulpit  devotions. 

"be  crowned  witli  religion ;  may  they  go  forth  as  the 
children  of  God,  rejoicing  in  their  calling ;  may  they  be 
guided  over  all  experiences  of  life,  of  knowledge,  of 
truth,  and  of  virtue ;  may  they  be  guided  by  thy  good 
providence  and  spirit,  so  that  every  one  of  them  shall 
assuredly  take  hold  of  eternal  life. 

O  let  the  prayers  long  delayed  at  last  be  answered  in 
behalf  of  those  who  have  had  Christian  training,  but  who 
have  grown  up  to  forget  their  training.  Bring  back  the 
wanderers  from  the  ends  of  the  earth,  and  from  all  hope- 
less experiences.  Bring  back  the  children  of  the  cove- 
nant, consecrated  by  the  faith  of  parents,  and  for  whom 
ten  thousand  prayers  liave  gone  up.  O  Lord,  remember 
them.  Is  it  not  the  time  for  the  release  of  some  of  the 
captives  ?  Art  thou  not  remembering  the  sinner 
already,  and  giving  liberty  to  some  that  are  in  bondage 
to  Satan  ?  Even  so  come,  Lord  Jesus,  for  their  release 
that  sit  in  darkness,  and  give  them  light,  and  lift  upon 
them  the  joys  of  thy  salvation. 

We  beseech  thee  that  thou  wilt  bless  all  for  whom 
we  should  pray — thy  people  of  every  name  ;  divided  in 
name,  may  they  be  united  in  affection.  May  those  things 
which  tend  to  divisions,  to  envyings,  to  jealousies,  and 
to  confusions  among  thy  churches,  pass  away.  May 
justice,  love,  and  purity,  stand  in  the  sanctuary.  May 
all  thy  people  be  substantially  united  by  their  common 
love  to  Christ,  and  by  love  to  each  other.  Fill  the 
earth  with  thy  glory ;  fuliill  all  the  blessed  predictions 
of  thy  word;  gather  in  Jew  and  Gentile;  and  may  the 
glory  of  the  Lord  fill  the  earth  as  tlie  waters  fill  the 
sea ;  and  to  thy  name  shall  be  the  j)raise,  Father,  Son, 
and  Spirit.     Amen. 


DIVINE  WISDOM  ABOVE  ALL  HUMAN. 


An  Evening  Prayer. 

"We  rejoice,  O  Lord  our  God,  to  believe  tliat  those  con- 
fusions and  turmoils  of  life  that  seem  to  us  strange 
and  mysterious,  are  before  thee  simple ;  and  those  things 
which,  to  oui*  uninterpreting  eye,  are  evils,  niischiefs,  and 
wastes,  to  thine  eye  are  messengers  of  mercy,  guiding 
and  conducting  influences ;  for  thou  art  bringing  many 
sons  and  daughters  home  to  glory ;  and  we  are  not  large 
enough  nor  wise  enough  to  understand  the  footsteps  of 
that  way  which  thou  treadest  in  dealing  with  men.  Our 
sanctuary  is  built  of  men's  hands,  and  the  few  ways  by 
which  we  know  how  to  touch  the  heart  are  indeed 
meager  and  unsatisfactory ;  and  yet  we  measure  thee  in 
the  greatness  of  thy  power  and  in  the  richness  of  thy 
resources,  by  our  own  miserable  expedients  and  expe- 
rience. We  forget  that  tliou  art  the  king  of  time  and 
the  God  of  all  the  earth  ;  that  thou  dwellest  in  eternity, 
in  light  inapproachable  ;  that  all  power  and  wisdom  are 
with  thee.  Endless  and  diversified  means  are  thine,  and 
thou  art,  through  ways  which  seem  to  us  to  reverse  all 
good,  bringing  good  to  pass,  light  out  of  darkness,  good 
out  of  evil,  and  order  out  of  confusion ;  so  that  all  the 
earth  doth  serve  thee,  even  hates,  and  wastes,  and  wars. 
Thou  dost  restrain  the  wrath  of  man,  and  cause  the 
remainder  thereof  to  praise  thee. 


53  BEECHliB's   PULPIT   DEVOTIOXS. 

And  now  we  adore  thee,  O  tlion  blessed  God,  tlioii  that 
art  exalted  above  all  ascription ;  tliou  that  canst  not  be 
described,  nor  enough  loved  or  admired ;  thou  that  art 
in  heaven,  surrounded  bj  ten  thousand  times  ten  thou- 
sand now  congenial  spirits,  we,  too,  though  far  down,  are 
in  thy  train — we,  too,  feel  this  divine  im^^ulse,  and 
though  with  imperfect  thought,  and  with  mixed  feelings, 
and  with  impure  hearts,  yet  claim  thee  God  according  to 
the  measure  of  our  power,  as  they  do  in  heaven  accord- 
ing to  the  measure  of  their  power.  We  rejoice  in  the 
blessedness  of  their  victory,  nor  do  we  repine  that  it  is 
not  given  us  to  be  conquerors  upon  earth.  Ours  is  yet 
the  warfare ;  theirs  the  rest.  We  yet  are  in  bodies  that 
require  our  severest  government ;  we  are  attempting  to 
bring  every  thought  and  feeling  into  subjection  to  Jesus 
Christ's  law  ;  w^e  are  wrestling  with  pride  that  refuses 
coercion,  and  watching  selfishness  that  presses  like  a 
flood. 

O  God,  we  are  yet  endeavoring  to  contend  against  prin- 
cipalities, the  prince  of  the  power  of  the  air,  the  spirit 
tliat  worketh  in  the  children  of  disobedience  ;  we  are 
laboring  in  every  way  of  life  to  perfect  the  spirit  of 
Christ  in  us,  and  it  doth  not  cost  any  sadness  in  us  to 
think  that  there  are  some  that  have  finislied  this  work  ; 
that  they  were  ours,  but  now  are  thine.  We  are  glad  for 
their  victory,  nor  are  we  discouraged  with  the  battle 
because  they  have  gone  first,  but  rather  we  are  enheart- 
ened  ;  and  v;e  are  sure  that  the  path  that  gave  them  vic- 
tory is  the  path  that  Christ  trod  and  that  we  shall  tread. 
And  we  take  comfort  to-night  that  there  seem  to  come 
to  us  from  the  verv  heavens  those  sweet  and  nourishino* 
influences  which  we  so  much  need  in  life.  Parents 
speak   to  us  by  ten   thousand  memories ;    dear  friends 


DIVIXE    WISDOM    ABOVE    ALL    HUMAX.  53 

gone  fpom  us  speak  back  again,  and  onr  yearnings  take 
hold  of  those  that  were  our  children,  but  are  now  thine 
angels. 

And  we  are  glad  for  heaven,  and  for  them  that  are 
dwelling  therein,  and  for  them  that  are  blessed  by  thee ; 
and  it  is  sweet  and  comforting  to  us  to  think,  that  the 
same  voices  that  we  taught  to  speak  are  now  praising 
God  in  heaven  in  strains  unknown  to  us.  I^or  are  we 
envious  that  our  children  have  outrun  their  parents,  while 
we  are  glad  for  that  rest  which  remaineth  for  us.  None 
shall  take  our  place  ;  there  is  enough  and  to  spare,  and 
we  go  forward  in  our  journey  of  life  knowing  that  we 
are  journeying  toward  sunrise,  that  the  darkness  is  be- 
hind us,  and  the  light  more  and  more  before  us.  And 
we  desire  to  be  more  faithful  and  courageous,  and  endur- 
ing unto  the  end. 

Wilt  thou  minister  of  thy  own  good  spirit  to  every 
one  in  thy  presence,  according  to  their  several  necessities. 
Thou  only  canst  read  the  heart ;  thou  knowest  far  bet- 
ter than  they  know.  We  know  not  at  all  for  others,  but 
thou  knowest  what  they  need ;  and  we  pray  that,  when 
they  ask  for  things  which  they  want  rather  than  need, 
thou  wilt  press  through  their  unwisdom  by  thine  own 
divine  wisdom,  and  give  them  that  which  they  need. 
May  thy  will  be  done  in  them,  and  ma}^  they  desire  that 
it  may  be  done,  and  desire  to  have  every  thought,  every 
purpose,  and  every  tendency  of  life  baptized  in  the  spirit 
of  God. 

Forgive  us  the  sins  of  our  past  lives.  Forgive  us  that 
goodness  is  so  feeble  m  us,  and  that  selfishness,  pride,  and 
worldliness  are  so  strong ;  that  when  we  should  have 
been  fruitful  under  such  teachings  and  inlluences  of 
Christ,  we  are  unfruitful.     Forgive  us  every  thing  that 


54  beechee's  pulpit  devotions. 

tarnislies  tlie  brightness  that  thou  dost  see  in  thy  be- 
loved, and  grant,  we  beseech  of  thee,  that  we  may  have 
that  peace  which  God  gives  to  those  whose  sins  are 
pardoned.  Help  us  to-night,  as  we  dwell  for  the  hour 
together,  to  read,  to  sing,  to  speak,  to  hear,  and  to  think 
to  our  edification  in  spiritual  things,  and  glorify  thyself 
by  our  joy,  by  our  worship,  by  our  growth  in  grace,  by 
our  suffering,  by  our  life,  and  by  our  death  ;  and  when 
through  death  we  come  again  to  life,  we  will  give  the 
praise  of  our  salvation  to  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the 
Holy  Spirit.     Amen. 


CONFESSION  AND  PENITENCE. 


Sahhath  Morning. 


INVOCATION. 


Thou  that  commandest  ligbt  to  shine  out  of  darkness;  we  thank  thee 
that  thou  hast  brought  forth  the  morning  light,  and  poured  it  upon  this 
day  of  rest,  filling  it  that  we  might  take  refreshment  this  day;  and  now 
grant  that  we  may  have  not  alone  that  pervading  light  in  which  we  stand 
bodily,  but  more  that  joyf^ii  and  peaceful  hght  by  which  thou  dost  shine 
into  the  soul— thine  own  &,pirit— bringing  day  to  our  night,  that  art  bring- 
ing warmth  to  our  dullness  and  deadness.  Now  we  beseech  of  thee,  that 
all  the  accustomed  exercises  of  worship  in  this  house  on  this  day,  may 
receive  from  thee  divine  inspiration.  Empower  thy  word,  that  it  may 
carry  forth  the  thought  and  will  of  God  to  oar  apprehension  and  belief. 
Give  force  and  power,  we  beseech  of  thee,  to  all  tlie  efiforfcs  which  are 
made  for  instruction,  conviction,  humiliation,  and  penitence,  out  of  thy 
sacred  oracles.  Wilt  thou,  0  God,  teach  us  how  to  come  near  to  thee, 
sorrowing  in  prayer,  and  to  commune  with  thee  in  penitence.  And  when 
our  souls  begin  to  discern  something  of  thy  glory,  may  it  bo  our  longing 
to  offer  thee  praises,  and  may  we  have  a  fellowship  to-doy  of  rejoicing  iu 
song,  and  may  all  the  exercises  of  (he  Sabbath  at  homo  be  blest,  and  may 
it  be  a  day  of  refreshment  and  great  peace,  which  we  ask  for  Christ's 
sake.     Amen. 


BEFORE  SERMON, 


Our  heavenly  Father,  we  come  not  to  make  known 
our  wants  as  if  thou  needest  that  we  should  inform  thee, 
but  to  express  our  gladness,  to  utter  thanksgiving,  to 
make  confession  of  sin  and  supplication — for  thou  hast 
made  it  pleasant  to  us  and  acceptable  unto  thee  that  we 
should  hold   communion  with  thee;    and  whenever  we 


56  beechek's  ptjlpit  devotions. 

take  thy  sacred  name  upon  our  lips  and  enter  into 
prayer,  tliou  dost  bring  near  to  ns  the  glorious  trutlis  of 
our  relationship  to  thee.  We  are  lifted  out  of  the  insig- 
nificance in  which  we  find  ourselves  ;  we  have  some  faint 
glimpses  of  that  immortality  which  is  ours ;  we  are  em- 
boldened then  to  seek  unto  thee,  since  we  are  thine  and 
thou  art  ours ;  and  we  find  our  inward  life  strengthened 
and  augmented,  that  in  this  communion  with  thee  onr 
daily  life  becomes  light,  our  duty  easy,  our  way  plain, 
and  all  things  are  more  bright  when  we  have  visited  tliy 
presence  and  held  communion  with  thee. 

We  thank  thee  that  the  access  is  not  barred.  The 
poorest,  the  most  ignorant,  the  most  unlettered  may  call 
thee  Father.  There  is  no  one  that  lives  to  whom  thou 
liast  not  given  the  power  of  prayer.  Every  vv^ant  is  a 
supplication,  every  yearning  a  supplication  before  thee. 
All  our  aspirations  for  things  purer,  higher,  and  diviner 
— are  not  these  excited  in  us  by  the  working  of  thy  Spirit  ? 
Then  thou  leadest  these  excited  thoughts  up  to  thee,  and 
thus  dost  return  our  petitions  in  blessings  innumerable. 

We  thank  thee  for  the  rich  experience  we  have  had  in 
days  past — for  the  present  rich  influences  of  the  Holy 
Spirit ;  we  thank  thee  that  we  have  hope  for  the  time 
to  come.  Thou  that  hast  begun  a  work  in  us  wilt  not 
leave  it  unfinished ;  thou  v/ilt  perfect  it  for  our  sake,  but 
yet  more  for  thine  o^vn — for  thou  dost  love  us,  and  thou 
hast  taken  us  to  be  a  part  of  thine  own,  and  wilt  yet 
present  us  spotless  before  thy  Father's  throne  to  be 
monuments  of  thy  faithfulness,  wisdom,  and  love. 

And  now,  O  Lord  Jesus,  we  desire  to  confess  our  un- 
worthincss ;  the  limitation  of  our  faculties,  the  poverty 
of  onr  life,  the  meagerness  with  which  we  do  that  which  is 
right,  the  exceeding  imperfection  of  our  whole  lil'e,  and 


coxfessio:n"  and  penitexce.  57 

the  absolute  sinfulness  of  mucli  of  it.  Every  clay  we 
try  thy  patience  with  transgression.  We  rejoice  that 
thou  art  God  and  not  man,  or  thy  love  would  be  weary 
of  the  task  which  thou  hast  undertaken ;  but  we  do  not 
desire,  because  thou  art  merciful,  long  suffering,  and  for- 
giving, to  trespass  upon  thy  grace,  and  to  sin  that  grace 
may  abound. 

We  desire,  by  a  view  of  thy  goodness  to  us  sinners,  to 
be  made  more  and  more  ashamed  of  our  transgressions  ; 
we  desire  to  turn  from  them,  and  with  averted  face  to 
abhor  them.  Help  us  to  resist  our  easily  besetting  sins, 
our  inbred  corruptions.  Help  us  to  take  hold  of  all  the 
parts  of  our  disposition  and  affections  of  our  nature  which 
require  remolding ;  help  us  to  have  them  inspired,  im- 
proved, and  pervaded  by  the  love  of  God.  May  we  not 
be  discouraged  in  the  way ;  may  w^e  not  remember  all 
the  days  past  in  which  we  have  carried  our  load  of  sin 
and  struggled  with  ill  success ;  let  not  the  shadow  of 
the  past  gloom  our  future ;  but  may  we  forget  the  things 
that  are  behind,  and  press  forward  tow^ard  the  mark  for 
the  prize  of  our  high  calling  in  Christ  Jesus;  for  thou 
art  everliving;  and  because  thou  livest,  we  shall  live 
also. 

O  God,  thou  seest  us  afar  off ;  and  thou  dost  run  toward 
us  and  cast  thine  arms  about  our  neck  ;  and  before  we  can 
make  our  complaint,  thou,  by  thy  bounty  and  love,  dost 
speak  our  pardon  and  receive  us  again  into  the  house- 
hold ;  and,  behold !  we  that  came  to  have  a  servant's 
place,  that  we  might  have  bread  to  eat,  wear  the  son's 
robe  and  the  ring  and  the  sandal,  and  walk  again  justi- 
fied and  dignified  in  our  Father's  house.  We  thank  thee 
for  this  mercy.  We  lift  Jesus  up  as  the  brazen  serpent 
in  the  midst  of  the  bitten, — O  Lord  God,  may  many  look 


58  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

and  live,  may  many  beliold  tliee  as  their  strength,  and 
may  they  find  thee  a  present  help  in  time  of  need. 

O  thou  patient  Saviour !  O  thou  teaching  and  illumi- 
nating Spirit !  bring  us  forth  into  a  clearer  understand- 
ing of  what  it  is  to  live  a  life  of  love  and  to  be  like  God ; 
and  if  we  are  attempting  to  live  that  life,  be  thou  patient 
with  us  in  all  our  experiments,  in  our  beginnings  and 
failures,  in  our  discouragements  and  retrocessions  often, 
and  by  thy  grace  hold  us  up  in  our  moral  weakness  until 
we  are  strong  to  stand.  Be  a  father  to  us ;  be  a  teacher 
to  us ;  nourish  and  sustain  us,  till  at  last  we  are  prepared 
to  go  forth  from  this  scene  of  school  and  trial,  and  take 
part  and  lot  in  that  higher  sphere  where  men  shall  op- 
press men  no  more ;  where  we  shall  not  be  imbruted  in 
every  part  of  our  nature;  where  we  shall  behold  the 
majesty  of  God  and  the  glory  of  divine  wisdom.  And  to 
thy  name  shall  be  the  glory  and  the  praise.  Father,  Son, 
and  Spirit,  forever.     Amen. 


ENTIRE  CONSECRATIOISr. 


Sabbath  Moo'ning. 


INVOCATION". 


Our  Heavenly  Father — we  are  thy  chiildren.  Although  we  are  weak 
and  sinful,  we  are  yet  thy  children,  preserved  by  thy  power,  cared  for  by 
thy  love,  redeemed  by  thy  grace.  We  beseech  of  thee,  this  morning,  that 
thou  wilt  unveil  our  face  that  we  may  behold  thee.  Thou  art  near  us 
and  around  about  us,  but  we  are  dark-minded  and  do  not  discern  the 
traces  of  our  God  until  thou  dost  teach  us,  and  then  with  sensible  com- 
fort we  behold  thee  where  thou,  wert  not  to  our  seeming  before.  Grant 
this  morning  that  we  may  have  this  inward  resurrection,  this  effulgence 
from  thee,  that  we  may  behold  it.  Draw  us  near  to  thee  by  all  our  affec- 
tions. May  we  worship  thee ;  may  we  trust  thee ;  may  we  be  able  to 
praise  and  rejoice  before  thee.  May  thy  word  stand  upladen  with  divine 
meaning  to  us;  may  all  our  exercises  of  prayer  and  our  singing  together 
be  in  the  sweet  fellowship  of  a  common  love  and  experience.  May  this 
be  a  day  blessed  to  our  souls.     We  ask  it  for  Christ's  sake.    Amen. 

BEFORE  SERMON. 

OuK  Heavenly  father — tliine  hand  is  ever  open,  and 
thy  heart  is  always  kind.  Thou  dost  not  need  our 
petitions  to  persuade  thee  ;  yet  thou  hast  commanded  us 
to  draw  near  to  thee  in  prayer,  and  we  have  found  out 
the  reason  in  our  own  experience.  It  is  blessed  for  us  to 
ask  the  things  which  we  should  receive  even  without 
asking.  It  is  blessed  to  hunger  before  God,  and  then  to 
take  the  bread  as  the  gift  of  thy  love  to  our  importunities. 

We  are  made  better  when  we  are  lifted  into  com- 
munion with  thee ;  w^e  are  made  to  feel  thy  nearness  and 


60  eeecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

thy  glory ;  made  to  feel  that  tliou  dost  symx^athize  with 
us ;  and  in  drawing  near  to  thee,  we  realize  that  thou 
dost  draw  near  to  us.  In  thy  great  goodness  we  stand, 
and  as  soon  as  we  attempt  to  measure  ourselves  by  any 
other  rule,  we  come  short.  If  we  attempt  to  measure 
ourselves  by  our  conscience,  there  is  neither  justice  nor 
righteousness  in  us ;  and  we  find  ourselves- so  exceedingly 
imperfect,  that  there  is  no  joy  and  no  result  of  peace ;  but 
-when  we  measure  ourselves  by  thy  righteousness,  when 
we  reflect  that  we  are  children  of  a  God  that  gives  wdth 
grace  infinitely,  and  that  without  stint — in  the  midst  of 
thy  boundless  compassions,  and  that  it  is  the  glory  of  thy 
nature  to  do  for  those  that  do  not  deserve — that  thou  art 
a  God  of  grace,  a  God  of  love  and  mercies  unspeakable, 
then  we  begin  to  find  some  ground  for  hope,  some  reason 
of  confidence  to  look  up,  and  our  hearts  are  lightened. 

We  beseech,  that  we  may  know  how  to  trust  thy 
goodness,  in  such  a  way  as  that  it  shall  inspire  goodness 
in  us.  May  w^e  trust  thee  in  so  wise  a  way  that  we 
shall  feel  ourselves  being  changed  into  thine  image. 
Deliver  us  from  the  wickedness  of  naaking  account  of  thy 
goodness,  that  wq  may  go  on  to  sin ;  deliver  us  from  the 
temptations  to  such  baseness  and  selfishness.  May  the 
goodness,  of  God  rather  lead  us  to  repentance.  May  it 
affect  us  with  like  honor  and  sensibility,  and  may  we 
desire  above  all  things  to  requite  thee  with  that  which 
thou  givest  us — confidence  and  love.  And  as  thou  art 
the  benefactor,  may  we  be  obedient  to  thee  ;  as  thou  art 
the  Father,  may  we  be  the  loving  children.  So  plant 
our  life  in  love,  and  nourish  and  perfect  us  in  that  spirit, 
that  when  we  leave  these  mortal  bodies,  we  may  be  made 
fit  to  stand  in  that  realm  whose  atmosphere  and  all 
whose  occupations  sliall  be  love. 


EXTIRE   COXSECRATIOIN'.  Gl 

We  beseecli  thee,  that  thou  wilt  help  us  in  the  conflictg 
which  we  wage  in  this  life  with  things  without  and  with 
things  within.  May  we  be  able  daily  to  bear  oiir  bur- 
dens, and  to  carry  on  our  duties  and  various  avocations 
in  a  truly  Christian  spirit.  May  we  be  sanctified  by  thy 
Spirit,  and  made  meet  to  be  the  children  of  light.  Grant 
that  we  may  not  seek  for  sanctification  apart  from  duty. 
May  we  look  more  upon  our  e very-day  experiences,  as 
having  a  moral  meaning  and  as  appointed  of  God  to 
minister  grace  unto  us ;  and  whether  we  eat  or  drink, 
or  whatever  we  do,  may  we  seek  in  it  to  glorify  thee. 
May  we  be  patient,  faithful,  and  truthful,  filled  with 
honor.  May  we  be  clothed  with  gentleness  and  with 
humility — seek,  like  thee,  to  be  full  of  all  kindness  one 
toward  another — seek  the  things  wdiich  make  for  peace, 
and  whereby  one  may  edify  another — ^live  as  seeing  him 
who  is  invisible — and  knowing  that  the  beginnings  of 
eternity  are  here  with  us  in  time. 

We  pray  that  thou  wilt  lift  up  the  faces  of  those  who 
look  down  with  sorrow.  Send  light  into  their  hearts 
Tvho  sit  in  darkness,  and  give  cheer  and  hope  to  those 
that  sit  in  despondency.  May  those  that  reason  with 
themselves,  and  look  inwardly,  begin  to  see  how  foolish 
that  is,  and  look  up  and  behold  the  glory  of  Christ. 
May  they  see  that  in  him  and  not  in  themselves  is  their 
life  and  their  salvation.  Comfort  those  that  are  feeble- 
minded ;  and  may  those  that  have  backslidden,  and  yet 
would  return  to  the  shepherd  and  bishop  of  their  souls, 
find  grace  in  thy  sight.  May  all  that  mourn  for  sin  find 
to-day  pardon  of  God,  and  may  all  that  long  for  a  present 
help  in  trouble  find  Christ  present  and  precious.  May 
all  those  that  desire  to  enter  into  covenant  again  w^ith 
their  Saviour — a  covenant  of  life,  of  heart,  and  of  spirit, 


62  beechee's  pulpit  devotions. 

O  grant  that  tliey  may  find  it  easy  to-day  to  commune 
with  thee,  and  may  they  be  drawn  cheerfully  and  gladly, 
by  thy  gracious  Spirit,  into  covenant  vows  and  obliga- 
tions. May  it  not  be  hard  for  us  to  pledge  ourselves  to 
thee ;  but  may  it  be  a  spontaneous  act.  May  we  rejoice, 
above  all  other  things,  to  give  ourselves  to  Christ  Jesus, 
who  gave  himself  for  us,  and  whose  life  flows  out  di- 
vinely toward  us. 

Eemember  all  those  that  are  not  with  us  this  day— 
our  dearly  beloved  brethren  that,  in  thy  providence,  are 
detained  at  home ;  or  are  scattered  abroad  through  our 
land,  and  that,  peradventure,  are  up  and  down  in  the 
places  of  the  world.  May  thy  mercy  go  forth  from  the 
center  of  thy  heart  to-day,  everywhere,  and  comprehend 
in  its  embrace  all  whom  we  love,  all  of  whom  we  think, 
or  for  whom  we  desire.  Bless  the  members  of  this 
church,  and  unite  them  together  in  the  fellowship  of  a 
practical  Christian  life.  Prepare  them  for  all  thy  right- 
eous will ;  prepare  them  for  living,  for  dying,  and  for 
immortality  in  glory.  We  beseech  thee,  that  thou  wilt 
add  to  this  church,  from  time  to  time,  of  such  as  shall  be 
saved;  r.ay  there  be  many  uniting  with  it,  gathered 
from  oul  of  the  world,  with  their  faces  cleared  and  filled 
with  light,  and  turned  to  the  J^ew  Jerusalem.  Confirm 
those  that  are  weak ;  restore  those  that  have  wandered, 
and  bring  back  to  the  faith  any  that  have  gone  forth 
from  out  of  it.  And  that  thy  work  may  not  be  in  vain 
in  our  midst,  may  there  be  peace  in  our  churches  round 
about. 

Strengthen  those  that  preach  the  Gospel,  that  they 
may  be  able  to  do  it  with  power  from  on  high ;  may 
they  never  faint ;  may  they  go  forth  bearing  precious 
seed — it  may  be  weeping,  but  may  they  soon  come  again 


ENTIEE    CONSECEATION".  63 

Willi  rejoicing,  bringing  tlieir  sheaves  with  them :  and 
though  the  earth  is  full  of  violence,  and  though  it  be 
shaken  to  its  foundation,  yet  may  we  be  quiet,  knov/ing 
that  God  rules  in  the  army  of  the  heavens,  and  in  the 
armies  of  the  earth,  and  that  all  things  shall  work 
together  for  the  good  of  them  that  love  thee.  Even  so, 
Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly.  And  to  thy  name  shall  be  the 
pj'aise,  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit.    Amen. 


CLOSING  PRAYER. 

Almighty  God,  wilt  thou  bless  the  word  spoken 'to  the  edification  of 
thy  people.  Quicken  our  conscience,  and  lead  us  again  to  lay  the  founda- 
tions on  which  we  stand.  May  we  make  a  solemn  review,  and  know  what 
our  soul-treasures  are.  May  it  not  be  enough  for  us  that  we  are  rich  in 
worldly  matters.  May  we  desire  to  be  rich  in  manhood,  that  we  may 
take  hold  upon  an  eternity  of  joy  in  thy  presence.  May  we  search  thy 
word  to  behold  and  ponder  the  cautions  which  thou  dost  give  us  in  the 
active  business  of  life.  May  we  heed  the  silent  monitions  of  our  own  in- 
ward nature.  And  may  we  seek,  by  sympathy  and  prayer,  day  by  day, 
the  guidance  of  thy  Holy  Spirit.  And  wilt  thou  direct  us  in  the  intricate 
channel  of  life  which  we  ourselves  cannot  pilot.  0  thou  that  art  wise 
without  mistake,  be  pleased  to  guide  us  and  bring  us  safely  to  the  haveu 
of  eternal  rest.     We  ask  it  for  Christ's  sake.    Amen. 


COMMUNINGS  WITH   JESUS. 


SoMafh  Morning. 


INVOCATION". 


0  God,  thou  art  in  heaven  and  we  upon  the  earth ;  thou  art  pure,  we 
are  sinful.  Mighty  art  thou  and  full  of  infinite  resources ;  we  are  crushed 
before  the  moth,  and  in  utter  weakness,  depend  upon  thee  for  life  and 
breath  and  all  things.  We  come  to  the  source  of  our  being,  to  the 
fountain  of  all  our  good,  this  morning,  making  acknowledgment  of  our 
dependence,  and  supplicating  for  help.  "Wilt  thou  give  forth  that  influence 
which  shall  inspire  in  us  holy  thoughts  and  blessed  desires.  Take  away 
those  things  that  shall  tempt  the  imagination,  or  the  reason,  or  any  of  our 
passions  and  affections,  and  may  we  worship  thee  to-day  in  the  beauty  of 
holiness.  May  thy  word  glow,  and  every  letter  be  as  a  lighted  lamp. 
May  the  truths  which  we  shall  seek  for  our  instruction  to  draw  from  it  be 
truths  like  bread  for  the  nourishment  of  our  life.  Help  us  to  draw  near  to 
thee  in  communion  of  prayer;  help  us  to  unite  in  the  fellowship  of  song, 
and  may  every  thing  that  we  do,  please  thee  and  profit  us,  for  Christ's 
sake.     Amen. 

BEFORE   SERMON. 

We  thank  tliee,  O  Jesus,  that  thou  hast  appeared  once 
for  all  and  offered  an  everlasting  sacrifice.  Now  thou  art 
gone  into  the  temple,  not  made  witli  hands,  eternally 
built  in  heaven,  and  thou  dost  appear  for  us  there,  before 
the  throne  of  God  ;  and  art  our  intercessor  and  our  medi- 
ator. Thou  dost  represent  thy  people  in  thyself*,  and  art 
forever  caring  for  them.  Thine  earthly  tears  and  thine 
earthly  groans  but  symbolize  thy  care  and  the  v/eight 
which  lies  upon  thee  evermore ;  for  the  earth  and  all 


66  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

nations  of  men  are  thine,  and  tliou  art  tlie  sole  guide  of 
this  wear  J  pilgrimage  of  human  life  through  all  its  condi- 
tions and  its  long  outstretched  periods.  Thou,  that  art 
wonderful,  thou  that  art  past  comprehension,  not  so 
much  hj  the  metes  and  bounds  of  thine  existence,  as  by 
the  quality  of  thine  actions,  in  patience,  in  love,  in  for- 
giving mercj,  in  gentleness,  rare  and  without  measure, 
in  fullness  and  ever-watching  versatilities  of  love  and 
kindness  ; — thou  that  dost  rear  thyself  up  before  us  in  all 
the  attitude  and  in  the  grandeur  of  God  ; — thou  that  dost 
carry  the  weak,  and  pity  the  sinful  and  heal  them  of 
their  sins ;  thou  that  makest  it  the  work  of  thy  lifetime, 
to  care  for  us  and  to  give  us  that  divine  education  by 
which  we  shall  become  fit  companions  with  thee  and 
thine  in  heaven,  we  thank  thee. 

We  know  our  nn worthiness  of  thy  care ;  we  know  we 
do  in  the  best  things  soil  our  conduct,  and  oftentimes  sin 
entirely ;  we  confess  our  transgressions  before  thee,  that 
we  may  be  healed.  Do  thou  deliver  us  from  feigned 
confession.  May  we,  from  the  heart,  recount  before  thee 
our  unworthiness ;  and  may  we  desire,  and  by  faith 
accept  the  forgiveness  of  our  sins — for  thou  needest  not 
to  be  persuaded ;  thou  dost  not  stand  reluctant  and  grant 
this  as  the  extreme  boon,  but  thou  art  persuading  ns  to 
persuade  thee.  Thou  dost  desire  to  grant  unto  us  every 
grace,  and  that  abundantly.  Lead  us  then,  we  beseech 
thee,  that  we  may  be  made  willing  in  the  day  of  thy 
power,  and  that  we  may  know  how  to  work  out  our  own 
salvation,  since  it  is  God  that  worketh  in  us.  We  pray 
that  thou  wilt  humble  us,  that  we  may  not  think  our- 
selves to  be  better  tlian  we  are.  We  pray  that  thou  wilt 
break  pride  in  those  hearts  where  it  predominates  and  is 
despotic. 


COMMU:fTINGS   WITH  JESUS.  67 

Wilt  thou,  we  intreatj  help  every  one  according  to  the 
nature  of  the  lielp  required  by  liis  disposition  in  the  cir- 
cumstances where  he  is  phiced,  in  the  scenes  in  which  he 
is  tempted,  and  in  the  duties  to  which  he  is  called. 
Thou,  O  God  and  Saviour,  and  thou  only,  readest  tlie 
heart  as  an  open  book — all  is  plain  before  tliee ;  there 
are  no  mysteries  with  thee,  and  there  can  be  no  mistakes. 
We  beseech  thee,  therefore,  that  thou  wilt  use  thy 
wisdom  to  direct  every  one,  and  may  we  so  far  under- 
stand how  blessed  is  the  supremacy  of  God,  that  we  shall 
be  able  to  say,  "  Thy  will  be  done,"  when  it  is  most 
tried  ;  when  it  seems  most  like  yielding  up  our  very  life 
itself,  still  may  we  have  faith  to  say,  "J^ot  our  will,  but 
thine." 

We  beseech  thee,  O  divine  Saviour,  that  thou  wilt 
teach  us  how  to  bear  our  lot  in  life — if  we  are  prospered, 
with  moderation ;  if  we  are  in  trouble,  with  patience  and 
cheerfulness.  Hold  us  back  on  either  hand  from  sin, 
and  may  we  be  conscious  of  our  weakness  and  of  our 
great  exposedness  to  temptation.  May  we  walk,  there- 
fore, softly  every  day,  leaning  upon  the  hand  of  God ; 
may  we  live  as  in  thy  presence,  not  forgetting  that  thine 
eye  is  upon  us — for  what  moment  we  forget  thee,  we 
forget  ourselves,  and  the  moment  we  shield  our  con- 
science from  thy  searching  presence,  we  run  into  mis- 
chief and  folly,  and  fall  away.  We  need  thee  as  a  staff 
on  which  to  lean  ;  we  need  thee  as  a  shield  and  buckler 
and  sword,  and  we  need  thee  as  the  very  bread  and 
breath  of  life  itself. 

We  beseech  thee,  O  Saviour  Jesus,  that  thou  wilt  com- 
fort those  that  are  in  trouble.  If  there  be  any  grieved,  af- 
flicted and  heart-broken,  to  whom  there  can  come  no  com- 
forter, let  such  come  in  remembrance  before  thee  to  day, 


68  BEECHEil's    PULPIT  DEVOTIOXS. 

for  thou  canst  hear  the  voice  of  the  heart  when  the  lip 
is  silent.  Sanctify  their  afiiictions,  and  gi'ant  that  they 
may  not  be  overborne  by  them,  but  come  forth  strength- 
ened and  purified,  and  made  more  meet  for  heaven.  Sus- 
tain all  that  iind  themselves  girded  with  severe  duties 
and  pressures,  who  at  times  are  discouraged,  and  sigh 
to  lay  down  the  bui'den  of  duty  or  even  of  life  itself. 
Rebuke  impatience,  and  teach  them  hov/,  when  tliey  can 
no  longer  live  by  sight,  to  live  by  faith.  Grant  unto 
them  more  and  more  manliness,  conrage  and  strength,  to 
carry  forward  the  duties  that  are  incumbent  upon  them. 

Teach  us  how  to  be  gentle  one  to  another;  how  to 
prefer  each  other  in  honor ;  how  to  seek  the  things  that 
belong  to  others'  welfare  and  not  our  own  alone.  Teach 
us  to  be  valiant  for  the  defense  of  all  things  right ;  and 
may  we  know  how  to  carry  our  rights  in  the  spirit  of 
love,  and  to  use  them  for  the  benefit  of  others,  rather  than 
for  our  own  selfish  assertion.  Grant  that  we  may  not  bo 
intoxicated  either  by  sympathy  or  by  pleasure,  or  by 
worldly  thoughts,  feelings,  prospects  and  plans.  May  we 
know  how  to  do  thy  work  in  the  midst  of  that  which  we 
call  our  own.  May  tliis  whole  life  be  to  us  a  varied 
means  of  grace.  Are  any  sick  ?  Wilt  thou  be  near  to 
them  to-day  ;  may  their  sickness  be  a  lesson  sent  from 
thee,  teaching  them  both  the  frailty  of  their  mortal 
bodies  and  the  imcertainty  of  this  life ;  and  may  it  teach 
their  hearts  to  go  to  the  other  life. 

We  pray  that  thou  wilt  be  near  to  all  whom  we  love. 
Look  upon  the  memories  of  those  present ;  upon  the 
heart  yearnings  of  those  present ;  upon  those  now  whom 
our  thoughts  search  out  and  would  name  to  thee :  bless 
them  abundantly,  separated  from  us  as  they  may  be,  and 
far  off  in  the  uttermost  places  of  the  earth.     We  rejoice 


COMMUNINGS   WITD   JESUS.  69 

on  siicli  a  day  as  tliis  to  feel  tliat  in  Christ  Jesus  they 
are  all  bronght  home  to  ns  again,  and  we  are  one  with  all 
whom  we  love.  Remember  all  for  whom  our  prayers  are 
desired — the  poor,  the  outcast,  the  uneducated  child  of 
neglect,  and  so  of  vice  and  of  crime  ;  remember  those  in 
prisons,  and  grant  we  pray  that  they  may  not  be  made 
worse  by  punishment,  but  rather  healed  of  evil  and 
led  to  right  ways.  Remember  the  sick  and  the  infirm ; 
all  that  are  in  any  way  divested  of  the  privileges  of  life. 
O  grant  that  all  classes  and  conditions  of  men  may  come 
up  in  remembrance  before  thee. 

Itememl)er  all  the  oppressed  places  of  the  earth  in  their 
weakness,  and  in  their  destruction.  And  we  beseech  thee 
that  those  that  are  in  priestly  authority  or  in  civil  power, 
who  employ  their  high  prerogatives  to  oj)press — may 
they  be  converted  from  the  errors  of  their  ways,  or  may 
they  be  made  a  mark  of  God's  signal  punishment  and 
taken  away,  for  the  earth  doth  wait  for  its  salvation. 
Thou  hast  promised  that  the  day  should  come,  and  the 
highway  of  the  Lord  should  be  cast  up,  u]3on  which  the 
ransomed  of  the  Lord  shall  return  and  come  to  Zion 
with  songs  and  everlasting  joy  upon  their  heads,  l^ow 
therefore  we  beseech  thee,  O  thou  that  art  to  lead  this 
earth  forward  through  endless  circles  emancipated  and 
glorified — the  earth  that  for  all  its  crying,  for  its  groaning 
and  its  sorrows  in  days  past,  shall  yet  chant  choral  thanks 
out  of  joyful  hearts,  and  with  purity  before  thee  round 
in  all  its  circuits — O  Lord,  thou  that  art  to  lead  forth  this 
world  and  give  it  such  joy  and  voice  of  song,  we  beseech 
thee  that  thou  wilt  make  bare  thine  arm,  show  thy 
presence,  and  convince  thy  people  that  thou  art  at  work, 
though  hidden  under  forms  of  confusion.  Thouoh  thou 
soundeih  in  revolutions  a3  if  it  were  the  voice  of  men  or 


10  ESECnEK^S   PCTLPIT   DEVOTIONS. 

of  war,  jet  may  we  know  how  to  beliold  Jehovah  upon 
the  storm,  and  see  thee  controlling  all  the  elements  of 
misrule,  and  out  of  evil  still  educing  good.  Why  is  not 
the  time  at  hand  ?  Have  not  the  nations  drunk  the  wine 
of  thy  wrath  long  enough  ?  Is  not  the  day  of  redemp- 
tion and  of  victory  come  ?  We  beseech  thee,  cut  short 
thy  delay  and  tarry  not ;  come  forth  out  of  thy  pavilion, 
O  thou  for  whom  the  ages  wait :  and  when  the  whole 
earth  shall  have  been  redeemed,  whether  we  be  here  or 
whether  we  be  with  thee  in  heaven,  we  will  give  the 
praise  of  our  salvation  and  of  its  salvation,  to  the  Father, 
the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Spirit.     Amen. 


CHURCH  ADDITIONS. 


SaMath  Morning. 

INVOCATION. 

"We  thank  tliee,  our  Fatlier,  that  we  are  spared  and  brought  hither  to  seft 
each  other  in  fellowship  of  joy,  and  that  with  gladness  of  Iieart  wo  may 
look  up  and  speak  to  thee,  thou  that  art  serene  in  love,  thou  that  art  full 
of  blessing.  And  we  implore  thy  benediction  upon  ourselves  individually 
and  upon  this  whole  congregation  ;  that  thou  wilt  make  thy  mercies  suit- 
able to  the  wants  of  each  one.  G-rant  to  us  all,  that  we  may  dwell  together 
in  heavenly  places  indeed ;  and  wilt  thou  command  that  the  light  may 
shine  forth  from  thy  word  upon  our  heart.  Drive  such  cares  and  intrusive 
troubles  away  as  interfere  with  our  worship;  bless  the  meditations  of  our 
heart ;  inspire  us  to  pray  unto  thee  in  the  sweetest  communion  of  faith 
and  love ;  assist  us  when  with  gladness  we  sing  together  before  thee,  and 
grant  that  all  the  services  of  the  sanctuary,  and  the  experience  and  service 
of  our  several  homes  may,  through  all  the  hours  of  the  day,  be  blessed  to 
us,  for  Christ's  sake.    Amen. 

BEFORE   SERMON. 

O  LoED,  our  heavenly  Father,  thou  hast  taught  us  not 
to  live  by  the  body,  but  by  the  soul.  Thou  hast  taught 
us  not  alone  to  value  the  things  which  the  body  can  see 
and  which  are  the  results  of  its  senses,  but  hast  opened 
to  us  from  within  the  limit  of  invisible  qualities,  and 
tauo;ht  us  that  there  is  a  life  within  this  substance  and 
material.  Thou  hast  taught  us  of  truth,  of  love,  of  faith, 
and  of  a  communicable  joy  of  God.  Thou  hast  stretched 
out  the  lines  and  boundary  of  time,  and  interpreted  to 
us  the  immortal  life  of  the  blessed.     Thou  hast  caused 


72  BEECHEii's   PULPIT   DEVOTIONS. 

all  the  sweet  siglits  of  heaven,  and  all  the  choirs  of  its 
joy-making  saints,  to  come  before  ns  in  solemn  vision. 
Thou  hast  held  those  things,  not  at  every  day  and  hour 
to  our  sight,  lest  we  should  forget  the  duties  that  belong 
to  us  here,  and  yet,  at  times,  they  have  come  through 
the  ear  to  discouraged  hearts.  Thou  hast  revealed  to  us 
invisible  things,  things  unknown  to  mortal  sense,  so  as  to 
be  more  substantial  than  the  things  wdiich  the  senses 
could  recognize.  We  thank  thee,  that  now  we  have 
abiding  faith  in  thee,  and  everlasting  companionship. 
Nor  is  this  a  feeble  thought  or  a  poem  of  the  imagina- 
tion, though  thou  hast  sanctified  our  imaginations  to 
apprehend  these  things.  Blessed  be  thy  name,  that  thou 
hast  caused  a  thought  of  God,  present  with  his  people,  to 
grow  more  and  more  plain  and  familiar,  and  more  and 
more  real  and  glorious  to  us ;  and  w^ith  a  ripened  under- 
standing, with  liberty  of  conscience,  and  with  largeness 
of  moral  being,  we  have  lost  nothing  of  the  sense  of  thy 
presence,  but  gained  rather,  and  we  stand  confirmed, 
rooted  and  grounded  in  Christ  Jesus,  as  ever  present  with 
his  people. 

We  thank  thee  that  thou  art  making  thy  divine  pity 
to  appear  to  men,  that  one  and  another  are  continually 
being  gathered  by  the  hand  of  God  from  out  of  the  midst 
of  worldly  influences.  We  thank  thee  this  morning  that 
thou  hast  permitted  so  many  to  stand  up  in  the  midst  of 
their  brethren,  not  to  testify  how  good  they  are,  but  how 
good  God  is  to  their  souls — not  to  testify  that  they  have 
attained  to  saintship,  but  to  bear  witness  that  they,  like 
us,  have  found  the  sin-sickness  of  tlieir  souls,  and  have 
found  also  the  great  physician  ;  and  that  they  now  bear 
gratefully  his  name  upon  them,  and  desire  to  be  recog- 
nized by  their  fellow-men  as  disciples  of  Christ  Jesus  in 


CHURCH    ADDITIOISrS.  73 

the  beginmng  of  tlieir  Christian  experience.  And  in  the 
continuance  of  their  experience,  in  those  that  are  of  a 
long  time  hoping  in  thee  secretly,  we  beseech  thee  that 
they  may  have  thy  divine  guardianship  and  blessing. 
Teach  them  what  things  are  right,  and  true,  and  good  ; 
what  things  to  be  desired  and  what  rejected ;  what 
things  to  be  prayed  for  and  what  to  be  left  submissively 
to  thy  providence. 

O  Lord,  so  guide  them  that  they  may  never  stand  as 
low  as  now.  May  their  hearts  ascend ;  give  them  never 
so  little  light  as  now  ;  fulfill  to  them  the  declaration  that 
the  path  of  the  just  is  as  the  light  that  shineth  brighter 
and  brighter  unto  the  perfect  day.  And  may  the  prayers 
and  cheerful  sympathies  of  thy  servants  here  surround 
them.  How  great  a  company  is  there  before  thee  of 
witnesses !  How  many  hearts  bear  witness  this  morning  ! 
Are  there  not  many  that  can  be  carried  back  by  this 
occasion  to  that  joyful  day  when  they,  too,  were  publicly 
affianced  unto  God. 

Thou  hast  made  us  to  be — all  of  us — a  part  of  that 
great  company  which  are  rejoicing  night  and  day 
before  thee  in  heaven.  We  are  yet  held  thitherward 
by  the  restraints  of  these  mortal  bodies,  but  not  long. 
'Nov  are  we  really  divided ;  we  are  of  them  of  whom  the 
whole  family  is  named,  some  in  heaven  and  some  upon 
earth.  Thou  art  making  the  commerce  rapid;  thou  art 
sending  tents  thitherward  not  a  few  continually ;  and 
blessed  be  thy  name,  thou  hast  declared  to  us  that  tliy 
ministering  S23irits  already  mini^ter  to  the  heirs  of  salva- 
tion likewise,  and  the  one  broad  wing  of  divine  protec- 
tion and  care  is  spread  over  all  in  heaven  and  upon 
earth,  and  we  rest  in  the  bosom  of  thy  love.  Thou  that 
dwellest  in  the  infinite  realm,  thou  whose  nature  doth 


74  beecher's  ruLPiT  devotions. 

transcend  all  power  of  our  conception,  we  adore  thee  as 
tlie  universal  father,  the  everlasting  God,  the  blessed 
reward er  of  all  those  that  bj  faith  and  patience  are 
brought  home. 

We  beseech  thee,  if  there  are  any  this  morning  that 
have  at  all  lost  the  gift  of  vision,  the  sense  of  love, 
upon  whose  hearts  no  longer  are  played  the  melodies 
of  heaven,  O  Lord  grant  that  their  harps  may  be  strung 
again.  Lift  them  up  from  out  of  the  dust,  and  bring 
them  back  from  their  decline  and  indifference;  blow 
away  all  those  chilling  winds  and  those  mists  that  hide 
their  vision.  If  there  are  any  of  them  that  have  been 
called  to  walk  in  shppery  places,  and  even  have  fallen, 
have  mercy  upon  them ;  may  thev  be  penitent  for  their 
transgressions,  and  know  how,  though  they  bewail  their 
sin,  to  have  hope  in  the  sparing  mercy  of  Jesus  Christ. 
And  we  beseech  thee  that  none  may  make  themselves 
castaways  because  they  have  stumbled  and  because  they 
have  done  wrong ;  let  none  count  themselves  unworthy 
of  eternal  life ;  bring  them  back,  thou  Shepherd  of  the 
flock,  that  goeth  out  to  seek  and  to  save  the  lost.  O  do 
thine  office-work  in  our  midst  in  behalf  of  any  that  are 
in  peril,  for  they  are  thine  and  bear  thy  name  and  have 
been  loved  by  thee  and  borne  through  many  years  ;  and 
now  be  not  weary,  we  beseech  thee,  of  thy  work,  nor  cast 
them  forth,  though  they  count  themselves  unworthy. 
Do  not  forget  them  as  they  forget  thee. 

Are  there  any  in  circumstances  of  trouble  and  afflic- 
tion, that  need  the  sunshine  of  heaven  and  the  presence 
of  God  to  strengthen  and  comfort  them  ?  O  be  pleased, 
according  to  all  thy  mercies,  according  to  that  great  and 
wondrous  disposition  of  sympathy  and  love  which  thou 
hast,  be  pleased  to  draw  near  to  such  and  succor  them, 


CHURCH   ADDITIONS.  75 

that  they  may  not  feel  that  thou  art  a  God  afar  off,  but 
a  being  to  help  in  time  of  need,  that  they  may  turn  to 
other  men  that  are  like  them  and  proclaim  what  God 
hath  done  for  them.  Glorify  thy  name  in  such.  Are 
there  those  in  thy  presence  this  morning  that  come  with 
arguments  of  thanksgiving  and  with  lessons  of  praise  ? 
Be  pleased,  O  God,  to  hear  that  which  they  now  offer  up, 
though  silent.  Thoughts  speak  louder  in  the  ear  of 
God,  than  men's  words  can  speak ;  the  heart  is  heard 
throughout  the  universe,  and  all  yearnings,  and  all 
desires  of  truth  and  of  love  within,  speak  forth  evermore 
into  the  ear  of  God.  We  beseech  thee,  that  thou  wilt 
accept  our  thanks,  our  gratitude,  our  love,  our  desire  of 
obedience,  and  our  offerings  of  repentance  for  past  mis- 
conduct. We  commit  ourselves  to  thine  hand,  O  Lord 
God  of  our  salvation,  praying  that  thou  would st  do 
exceeding  abundantly  more  for  us  than  we  ask  or 
think. 

Remember  the  young  that  are  in  our  presence.  Bless 
the  parents  that  are  endeavoring  to  rear  up  a  generation 
to  fear  and  serve  God.  Bless  those*  that  are  as  teachers 
who  are  endeavoring  to  co-operate  with  parents  in  the 
religious  instruction  of  their  children.  Bless,  we  beseech 
thee,  those  that  are  coming  forth  out  of  infancy  into 
youth,  may  they  not  be  imperiled  in  virtue ;  and 
those  that  are  emerging  from  youth  into  manhood,  we 
pray  that  they  may  not  be  tempted  more  than  they  can 
bear,  but  may  they  walk  from  youth  to  manhood  with 
honor  unclouded,  consecrating  the  morning  of  life  to 
virtue  and  religion  ;  may  more  of  such  dwell  under  our 
roofs,  may  peace  abide  in  our  households,  and  may  there 
be  more  and  more  coming  from  the  altar  of  the  family 
to  the  altar  of  the  church,  to  bear  public  witness  to  the 


76  beeciiek's  pulpit  devotions. 

fidelity  of  the  teaching  of  their  parents.  Bless  ns  in  the 
further  work,  labor,  and  joy  of  the  sanctuary ;  and  pre- 
pare us  for'  all  its  sweet  and  solemn  services  ;  be  with  ns 
while  we  live,  and  grant  that  thus  we  may  be  with  thee 
in  eternal  life,  and  we  will  give  the  praise  to  Father, 
Bon,  and  Spirit.     Amen. 


SACRA^IENTAL  SEASON. 


Sabbath  Morning. 


INVOCATION. 


"W"e  rejoice  that  thou  hast  caused  the  sun  to  know  its  day  and  bound 
and  duty  to  shine.  Thou  that  art  the  Sim  of  righteousness,  more 
glorious  and  more  faithful  and  fuller  of  blessed  truth,  arise  upon  us  with 
healing  in  thy  beams,  chasing  away  the  darkness  of  unbelief,  the  clouds 
of  doubt  and  fear ;  and  grant  unto  us  that  sweet  light  by  which  we  may 
know  how  to  go  forth  and  find  whatever  thing  is  needful  for  us  to-day  in 
that  spiritual  realm.  Open  our  eyes  upon  the  wondrous  truths  of  thy 
Avord ;  grant  that  we  may  no  longer  be  left  to  interpret  the  spiritual  by 
carnal  reasonings.  Give  us  that  breatliing  and  inspiration,  that  presence 
and  brooding  influence  of  thine  own  self,  that  shall  lead  us  by  spiritual 
teaching  into  spiritual  truths.  Accept  the  otfering  of  worship;  accept  the 
song  of  fellowship  and  praise;  accept  all  our  devout  meditations ;  all  our 
aspirations  both  excite  and  guide ;  and  grant  that  every  thing  this  day  may 
be  seemly  before  thee,  and  profitable  to  us;  and  so  glorify  the  name  of  our 
Saviour.     "We  ask  it  in  that  blessed  name.     Amen. 

BEFORE   SERMON". 

TVe  draw  near  to  thee,  thou  that  art  eternal  and  nn- 
searchable,  taking  hold  of  Jesus  our  Sav^iour,  and  learn- 
ing how  to  understand  thee  by  understanding  him. 
We  adore  thee  in  all  that  we  understand.  Thy  great- 
ness is  unsearchable,  but  all  is  not  unsought  and 
unsearched  that  is  in  thee ;  and  thou  hast  shown  toward 
us  in  thy  dealings,  and  thou  hast  explained  by  thy  words, 
enough  for  our  souls'  admiration  and  love — enough  to 
overwhelm  us  with  wonder  when  we  behold  thy  power, 


V8  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

and  see  tlie  greatness  of  thy  being.  ITot  tliat  we  can  take 
it  in,  but  in  so  far  as  we  can  trace  it  and  see  how  like 
an  ocean  it  leaves  its  shores  and  goes  off  endlessly 
beyond  all  voyaging  of  thought,  we  are  amazed ;  we 
are  baffled ;  we  sink  into  insignificance  before  thee. 

We  marvel  that  thou  shouldst  take  note  of  such  as 
we  are ;  we  are  as  but  worms  before  thee,  as  motes 
of  the  very  dust.  And  this  is  the  beginning  of  onr 
wonder,  when  thou  dost  lift  thyself  up  in  all  the  majesty 
and  grandeur  of  thy  being  to  interpret  to  us  that  it 
is  thy  nature,— that  which  makes  thee  God  and  not 
man  ; — that  thou  dost  concern  thyself  in  the  least  things 
and  in  the  poorest,  and  in  that  which  is  farthest  away 
from  thee  and  most  needy;  that  thou  art  a  nursing 
God,  that  thou  art  an  everlasting  Father,  that  thou  dost 
not  outgrow  nor  permit  us  to  outgrow  this  tender 
relationship  between  the  infinite  supplies  of  divine 
superiority  and  the  infinite  needs  of  onr  inferiority ;  and 
we  stand,  not  because  we  were  made  to  stand  alone,  but 
because  we  are  made  to  stand  in  God ;  and  we  live 
till  this  time,  not  because  we  have  found  out  a  way  of  in- 
dependence safe  and  secure,  but  because  by  the  leading 
of  thine  own  hand  we  have  been  brought  safely  through 
every  danger  to  this  state  of  blessedness  which  we  feel 
to-day. 

How  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is  to  come  together 
this  morning ;  not  so  bright  in  the  sky  is  the  sun  that 
shines  to-day,  traveling  in  the  greatness  of  his  strength, 
and  filling  all  the  wide  firmament  with  his  gladness,  as  is 
our  joy  and  our  brightness  and  our  gladness  coming  into 
fellowship  to-day  in  this  i)lace.  Thou  hast  taught  us  to 
love  each  other,  yea,  even  without  name  and  without 
personal  knowledge ;  thou  hast  taught  our  hearts  to  go 


SACRAMENTAL   SEASON.  '79 

fortli  and  to  greet  every  living  thing  that  like  us  suffers, 
or  loves,  or  yearns,  or  aspires ;  that  needs  and  seeks  in 
God,  that  finds  and  loves  the  hand  that  fulfills  its  necessi- 
ties. And  thou  hast  brought  us  in  this  enclasping  love 
together  to-day.  We  look  upon  each  other  with  strange 
surprise.  What  treasure  have  we  in  each  other's  hearts ! 
What  gladness  anu  .^^-oth  of  joy  !  These  are  estates  in- 
deed for  which  we  wait ;  but  death  shall  give  them  to  us. 

We  that  here  walk  in  tears ;  we  that  walk  in  manifold 
imperfections  together ;  we  that  sing  both  hoarsely  and 
discordantly,  we  are  heirs  of  a  common  glorification ;  we 
are  making  haste,  casting  our  burdens  and  our  faults, 
outliving  our  vain  desires  and  reaching  up  with  a  divine 
impulse.  We  are  going  to  that  crowd  of  common  meet- 
ing where  we  shall  be  in  the  image  of  Grod,  and  harmo- 
nize with  each  other  by  the  perfect  purities  of  love. 
We  anticipate  it,  we  believe  in  it,  we  desire  to  feel 
already  the  ground  swell  of  the  eternal  world  lifting  us  up. 
We  desire  to  feel  that  this  is  not  a  vain  and  fantastic 
thing,  that  by  the  blood  of  Christ  Jesus  v^e  are  united 
together. 

May  we  evermore  weep  with  those  that  weep,  and  bear 
them  up  in  their  sorrow,  and  rejoice  with  those  that 
rejoice,  delivering  ourselves  and  themselves  from  narrow 
selfishness  of  joy.  May  we  live  together ;  and  may  we 
strive  to  cast  all  that  is  good  as  so  many  brands  in  the 
fire,  and  mav  the  common  light  and  common  warmth 
thereof  be  our  heritage  of  joy  together;  and  may  we 
learn  to  feel  that  every  thing  that  stands  solitary  in  our 
own  individual  experience,  is  of  so  much  power  to 
another ;  and  that  all  things,  even  the  most  secret  and 
sacred,  when  God  shall  bring  them  out  of  privacy  into 
the  large  union  and  fellowship  of  final  love,  shall   be 


80  beechek's  pulpit  devotions. 

made  richer  and  more  glorious.  And  may  we  search  out 
this  truth,  even  in  this  life  by  the  light  of  thy  Sj^irit, 
the  mystic  love  of  Christ,  and  his  union  to  his  people, 
and  their  union  to  each  other. 

And  we  beseech  thee,  as  we  sit  to-day  and  sing 
together,  that  not  our  voices  alone  may  mingle  and  go 
up  in  torrent  of  song,  but  O  m^^  our  hearts  find  each 
other ;  may  we  feel  a  unity  of  zeal  and  gladness. 

And  now  may  we  be  enkindled  to  pray  for  others,  and 
not  forever  selfishly  for  ourselves,  and  may  we  learn  to 
take  into  our  sympathies  largely  the  wajits  of  others. 
May  we  feel  for  them,  and  think  for  them,  and  yearn  for 
them,  and  live  for  them.  Teach  us  at  last  the  beginning 
of  divine  love,  to  use  ourselves  not  for  ourselves  but  for 
others.  Teach  us  to  find  a  coming  back  from  that 
which  we  have  given  to  others  of  joy,  or  purity,  or  good- 
ness of  any  kind.  And  we  beseech  thee  that  we  may 
more  and  more  interpret  the  spirit  of  Christ,  the  mean- 
ing of  his  life,  the  meaning  of  his  death,  and  the  meaning 
of  his  everlastino-  life  in  heaven. 

O,  our  Father,  we  are  not  only  thy  children,  but  we 
are  very  young  children.  We  mark  and  know  our  im- 
maturity by  our  own  inexperience,  by  our  want  of  those 
qualities  tliat  should  mark  those  that  are  joined  to  thee. 
Be  pleased,  our  Father,  to  bless  us,  taking  thy  measure 
of  benefaction  not  from  our  want,  still  less  from  any 
desire  or  persuasion  of  ourselves,  but  taking  it  from  thine 
own  nature,  from  the  royalty  of  thy  love,  from  the  won- 
derfulness  of  thy  generosity,  and  bless  us  in  such  a  way 
as  God  loves  to  bless.  O  how  rich  are  we  that  stand  in 
the  grace  of  God,  not  in  our  own  work  or  attainment, 
nor  any  measure  of  our  own  desert.  Tliis  is  what  we 
deliglit  in.     This  is  that  which  we  daily  rejoice  in,  that 


SACRAIVIEXTAL   SEASON.  81 

we  do  not  receive  things  for  our  own  sake,  but  all  for  the 
sweet  sake  of  Christ.  We  rejoice  in  him  that  so  per- 
fumes our  life,  that  so  gives  value  to  the  meanest  things, 
that  leaves  the  savor  of  a  heavenly  name  and  spirit  upon 
things  that  otherwise  w^ould  seem  dry  and  insipid  to  us. 

Now,  what  motives  are  lacking  in  our  condition,  we 
find  descending  from  thee  that  art  high  above  all  earthly 
things.  "What  time  denies  us,  thou  givest ;  what  our  re- 
lationships do  not  afford,  this  all  comprehending  relation- 
ship with  thee  yieldest.  Thou  art  the  harvest-field  in 
which  we  sow  and  in  which  we  reap ;  thou  art  the  tower 
into  which  we  run ;  thou  art  our  sun  by  day  and  our  star 
by  night,  that  bright  and  rising  star  of  morning  hope  ; 
thou  art  bread  and  water  to  us ;  thou  art  staff  and  stay, 
thou  art  medicine  and  food ;  thou  art  guidance ;  thou  art 
championship  ;  thou  art  teacher ;  thou  art  friend,  brother ; 
tliou  art  sister,  father  and  mother — all  things  to  all  men, 
and  all  in  all.  Our  being  is  comprehended  in  thine  ;  in 
thee  we  live,  and  move,  and  have  our  being ;  blessed  be 
the  name  of  the  Lord. 

And  now  we  beseech  thee,  O  our  Father,  give  us  to-day 
in  one  gift  all  gifts,  the  consciousness  of  thine  own 
presence ;  the  sense  that  thou  art  thinking  of  us,  and  the 
preciousness  of  thy  thoughts,  thine  individual  presence 
to  us  according  to  our  own  individual  wants ;  and  may 
w^e,  long  before  we  are  permitted  to  touch  the  sacred 
symbols  that  are  before  us  in  everlasting  consecration — 
may  we  begin  to  commune  with  thee,  and  to  take  of  thy 
life,  to  take  of  thee,  by  thought  and  faith  and  affection. 
Thus  may  we  live  to-day  and  to-morrow  and  each  day 
and  every  year,  until  at  last,  the  last  year  shall  come, 
-which,  borne  as  a  chariot,  shall  carry  us  speedily  to  our 
home  in  heaven ;  and  there,  when  we  behold  thee,  not 

4* 


82  beecher's  pulpit  devotioxs. 

all  tlie  estate  of  thy  glory  nor  the  surrounding  of  in^ 
numerable  spirits,  shall  separate  us  or  daunt  us  for  one 
single  moment ;  but  we  will  cast  our  crown  at  thy  feet 
and  give  to  thy  adorable  name,  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit, 
the  praise  of  our  salvation.     Amen. 


UNION  WITH   CHRIST. 


Evening  Prayer. 


AFTER  COMMUNION. 


We  draw  near  to  thee,  O  our  Kedeemer,  wlio  dost 
move  in  the  living  way  of  love — thou  who  hast  made 
thyself  to  be  the  gate.  Thy  heart  opens  even  to  us,  and 
through  that  we  walk  unabashed  before  God.  We 
rejoice  we  know  something  now  of  what  is  wrapped  up 
in  those  words,  that  name,  God ;  the  glory,  the  joy,  the 
purity,  the  depth,  the  power  of  love ;  its  power  for  hap- 
piness, for  restoration,  for  life-giving  confidence.  All 
that  we  need  is  in  thee^  all  that  makes  our  life  flows 
from  thee ;  in  thee  we  live,  and  move,  and  have  our 
being,  and  we  desire  in  the  full  appreciation  and  con- 
fidence of  this  truth  to  walk  for  evermore  as  the  children 
of  God. 

We  are  not,  O  Lawgiver^  thy  slaves ;  we  are  no  longer 
the  servants  of  sin  ;  we  are  by  adoption  Christ's  freemen ; 
we  are  his  brethren ;  we  are  heirs  together  with  him, 
and  stand  before  God  even  as  Christ  stands,  forever 
beloved.  And  now  we  beseech  thee  that  this  may  not 
be  written  in  the  book,  and  consulted  by  reading  at 
times,  but  may  this  be  written  in  the  fleshly  table  of  our 
heart.  Grant  that  this  sense  of  our  connection  with  the 
eternal  world,  especially  of  our  connection  so  endearing 


84  beecher's  pulpit  devotioxs. 

with  Jesus  Christ — grant  that  this  divine  union  may  bo 
ever  present  with  us ;  may  we  he  sustained  by  it,  con- 
verted, inspired,  cured. 

We  ourselves  are  nothing.  If  thou  wert  to  mark  our 
nature  and  take  account  of  our  attainments,  there  is 
nothing  to  he  said.  It  is  folly  even  to  look  at  us  with 
any  thought  of  excellence.  Our  hope  is  in  thee.  It  is 
to  be  in  God,  to  take  up  the  rudiments  of  being,  and 
revolvins:  them  in  the  midst  of  thine  own  nature  and 
power,  to  bring  forth  final  excellence  out  of  such  rude 
beginnings.  O  Lord,  our  God,  we  beseech  thee  that  we 
may  not  for  a  moment  endeavor  to  stand  and  find  rest 
in  any  consciousness  of  our  own  excellence.  May  we 
make  haste  to  own  to  ourselves  the  overwhelming  imper- 
fections of  our  life,  and  yet  may  we  see  how  all  our 
powers  are  inchoate ;  may  we  see  how  all  the  beginnings 
of  our  actions  are  rude  and  imperfect ;  may  we  see  how 
far  short  we  come  in  every  point  from  the  fullness  of  the 
divine  intent  in  that  respect,  and  how  our  whole  charac- 
ter stands  and  must  stand  to  the  very  end  incomplete 
before  thee. 

May  we,  tlierefore,  know  from  henceforth  the  divine  les- 
son of  thy  love,  th}^  goodness,  thy  compassion,  and  mercy, 
as  the  counterpart  of  our  significant  imperfection  and 
sinfulness.  May  all  our  hope  be  in  God  ;  may  we  cease 
the  folly  of  lingering  and  looking  elsewhere ;  at  last,  may 
we  forget  self  and  think  of  God.  May  we  look  away 
from  all  our  consciousness,"  from  our  various  endeavors, 
and  from  fretful  resolutions  that  vex  and  torment  us,  from 
the  whole  round  and  fever  of  our  inward  life ;  may  we 
look  away  from  all  that  is  mean  and  little  and  insufii- 
cient  in  ourselves,  upon  which  we  have  so  long  brooded, 
and  from  which  we  have  tried  to  extract  some  comfort ; 


FNION    WITH   CHEIST.  85 

and  beliold  the  glory  of  God,  tliat  fills  the  heavens  and 
that  oversi^reads  the  earth,  and  in  thee,  by  joy,  by  admi- 
ration, by  trust,  by  love,  may  vre  begin  to  find  some 
heart-rest,  and  may  we  take  onr  consolation  not  in 
what  we  are,  but  in  what  we  behold.  May  we  look  up 
into  the  face  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  since  he  chooses  to  call 
himself  ours,  may  we  not  thwart  the  divine  enunciation 
nor  in  any  way  withstand  the  blessed  faith  by  unbelief, 
but  rejoice  with  exceeding  great  joy,  that  this  is  the 
nature  of  God,  to  take  up  such  as  we  are,  to  love  them, 
to  bear  them,  to  carry  them  forward  with  everlasting 
strength,  nntil  at  length  they  shall  be  purified  and  estab- 
lished in  heaven. 

O  Lord,  restore  to  any  that  have  lost  it,  the  savor  of 
this  blessed  view  of  Christ ;  give  the  clearness  and  the 
fullness  of  it  to  those  that  see  it  but  in  part  and  linger- 
ingly  ;  and  reveal  thyself  to  those  that  never  beheld  thee 
thus  clothed  with  glory,  and  standing  for  them.  May 
every  one  of  us  desire  to  be  clothed  with  thy  righteons- 
ness,  not  with  our  own  ;  and  may  we  stand  in  thy  love. 
May  we  have  this  faith,  that  works  by  love,  and  super- 
sedes all  other  influences,  and  is  mightier  than  all  others. 
And  so  we  beseech  thee,  that  we  may  go  on  from  day  to 
day,  till  the  trial  is  ended,  and  life  closes  here,  to  begin 
there  in  full  vision  and  fruition.  Wilt  thou  hear  oiu' 
petitions,  not  because  we  are  worthy  to  speak  unto  thee, 
but  for  thine  own  name's  sake.  And  to  the  Father, 
Son,  and  Spirit,  shall  be  praise  everlasting.     Amen. 


CLOSING  PRATER. 

Thou  Saviour  of  the  world,  thou  hast  occasion  to  bear  even  with  our 
knowledge.  Our  best  things  are  so  imperfect  that  thou  hast  to  bear  with 
them.  Our  very  love  is  frigid,  if  it  be  measured  by  the  golden  tropic  of 
heaven.  The  ripest  fruit  that  hangs  upon  our  bough,  spirit-ripened  on 
earth,  is  yet  acerb,  and  unfit  for  the  heavenly  garden.  Tiiou  hast  occasion, 
0  gentle  and  loving  and  ever-blessed  God,  to  carry  us  all  as  little  chil- 
dren are  carried.  "We  are  ignorant,  we  are  weak,  we  are  stumbling  all 
the  time  ;  and  yet  we  arrogate  to  ourselves  such  knowledge  that  we  take 
one  another  by  the  throat,  and  cast  out  mea  that  differ  from  us.  "We  are 
perpetually  proving  one  another  and  judging  one  another  ;  and  yet,  all  the 
time,  we  are  depending  upon  the  infinite  forbearance  and  love  of  God. 
Teach  us,  we  beseech  of  thee,  the  whole  lore  of  love — of  its  forbearance 
and  gentleness,  of  its  kindness  and  patience,  of  its  charitableness  and 
rivihness  ;  and  make  us  to  be  thy  dear  children ;  and  work  out  in  us  thine 
attributes ;  and  finaliy  draw  us,  by  that  in  us  which  is  like  thee,  to  the 
open  arms  of  Jesus,  and  to  the  bosom  of  our  heavenly  home,  where  we 
will  praise  thee,  Father,  Son  and  Spirit.     Amen. 


BAPTISMAL  SERVICE. 


Sahhath  Moi'ning. 

We  rejoice,  our  heavenly  Father,  when  we  behold  the 
faces  of  these  dear  children — for  thev  are  as  doors  to 
Thee,  and  through  them  we  enter  heaven  and  have 
some  conception  of  thy  fatherhood.  Thou  that  dwellest 
in  eternity,  that  spannest  the  heavens  with  thine  hand, 
and  layest  the  foundations  of  the  earth,  that  callest  all 
the  stars  by  name  and  givest  them  their  appointed 
circuit,  and  sittest  serene  in  the  immensity  of  universal 
affairs,  art  God  over  all  blessed  forever;  and  yet,  such 
is  thy  nature  that  thou  art  delighted  with  these  little 
ones,  and  art  saying,  "  Suffer  them  to  come  imto  me,  and 
forbid  them  not." 

In  this  announcement  from  the  skies  we  see  the 
sweetness  and  the  tenderness  of  thy  loving  nature  to 
cheer  and  to  encourage  us.  Surely  thou  art  to  be  the 
soul's  delight,  Vv'hen,  set  free  from  the  obstructions  of  this 
mortal  life,  leaving  the  shell  and  the  nest  behind,  we 
stretch  our  wings  and  fly  up  unto  thee  and  see  thee  as 
thou  art.  E^ot  through  the  interpretation  of  laws,  nor  of 
nature,  nor  of  man,  but  as  thou  art  we  shall  behold  thee. 
We  shall  joy  and  rejoice  in  thee  for  evermore,  and  all 
the  soul  shall  be  happy  ;  every  thought  and  feeling  and 
purpose  shall  be  filled  and  overflowing  with  thy  divine 
excellence.     We  rejoice  that  thou  hast  a  home  appointed 


88  beecher's  pulpit  devotioxs. 

for  thine  own,  now  dispersed,  apparently  wind-blown  and 
storm-beaten  up  and  down  through  all  the  ways  of  life. 
Thou  art  gathering  them,  thou  art  sending  forth  death  as 
a  nurse  to  collect  and  bring  thy  children  home  through 
sleep  to  thee,  and  they  shall  all  be  housed  and  stored 
where  there  is  no  more  storm  or  trouble  for  evermore. 
As  when  our  children  are  sick,  we  patiently  and  eagerly 
care  for  them,  so  dost  thou  care  for  us :  "  like  as  a  father 
pitieth  his  children,  so  the  Lord  pitieth  them  that  fear 
him."  As  we  make  haste  to  every  cry  of  want,  so  dost 
thou ;  thine  ear  is  ever  open ;  thou  hearest  us  when  we 
cry,  to  relieve  and  to  bless. 

We  rejoice,  O  God,  in  thy  paternity ;  we  do  not  under- 
take to  explore  its  bounds  nor  to  know"  its  intimate  work- 
ings ;  it  is  enough  for  us  that  thou  art  disclosed  as  a 
Father,  infinite  in  love,  perfect  in  justice,  everlasting  and 
immutable  in  truth — holy,  just,  and  good.  We  trust 
thee ;  we  adore  thee  in  all  those  inapproachable  elements, 
in  all  those  attributes  which  dawn  upon  our  sight,  but 
run  away  in  their  proportions  beyond  the  region  of 
thought. 

In  all  those  things  that  evermore  make  thee  mighty 
and  infinite  as  God,  we  adore  thee;  but,  rising  in  the 
stature  of  our  minds,  as  fast  as  we  come  to  a  better 
knowledge,  as  fast  as  we  bring  in  elements  to  our  own 
comprehension,  we  change  adoration  into  love :  and  so 
we  adore  thee  for  the  vast  and  unrivaled  extent  of  grand- 
eur wdiich  i)lays  upon  the  imagination  and  fills  the 
whole  soul  with  awe  and  fear  and  reverence;  but  all  the 
disclosures  that  thou  hast  made,  tlie  words  thou  hast 
spoken,  and  tlie  puttings  forth  of  tliy  nature  on  every 
side — these  draw  us  to  thee  in  the  sweetest  bonds.  We 
confide  in  thee  ;  we  lean  uj^on  thee;  we  rest  our  souls  in 


BAPTISMAL   SERVICE.  89 

thee.  Whom  have  we  in  heaven  but  thee,  who  is  there 
upon  earth  that  we  can  desire  beside  thee  or  in  compari- 
son with  thee  ?  Thou  art  great  in  heaven  ;  thou  art 
great  upon  the  earth ;  thou  dost  not  stand  in  thy  great- 
ness upon  the  recognition  of  any.  Though  all  men  forget 
thee,  though  all  men  should  bow  down  to  idols,  still  thou 
art  God  over  all,  filling  immensity,  great  beyond  all 
thought,  or  conception,  or  bounds. 

Now,  O  Lord,  we  beseech  thee  that  we  may  not  alone 
have  in  the  fervor  of  devotion  these  revere]:it  and  loving 
thoughts,  but  grant  that  we  may  be  able  to  walk  wdth 
thee  evermore  in  all  our  affairs  and  be  undisturbed ;  that 
we  may  not  be  vexed  by  the  harassing  of  care  and 
trouble  in  our  own  hearts  ;  that  we  may  not  be  disturbed 
in  our  social  relations,  in  the  ten  thousand  collisions  and 
threats  of  feverish  life  ;  that  vfe  may  not  be  alarmed  in 
the  mutations  of  outward  affairs,  nor  cast  up  and  down. 
Grant  that  we  may  not  be  as  ships,  ever  changing  with 
the  winds  and  waves  of  the  sea,  but  rather  may  we  be  as 
the  cedars  of  Lebanon,  that  stand  from  generation  to  gen- 
eration unmoved  and  unmovable. 

Grant  that  our  confidence  may  be  in  God  and  not  in 
man,  nor  in  ourselves.  We  bring  to  thee  all  our  affairs ; 
we  are  willing  to  be  under  thee  the  conductors  of  them  ; 
we  are  willing  to  be  thy  stewards ;  we  are  willing  to 
labor,  to  bear,  and  to  suffer  unto  the  end.  We  will 
endure  whatever  in  thy  j)rovidence  is  brought  upon  us, 
but  we  desire  to  feel  that  there  is  a  thought  wider  and 
clearer  than  our  wisest  thought — a  purpose  that  over- 
rules the  purposes  of  men — a  providence  that  includes  in 
it  greater  good  for  us  than  we  can  plan  for  ourselves. 
Whatever  may  seem  to  be  the  courses  of  things,  thou 
art  guiding  the  earth,  and  thou  art  guiding  the  nations 


90  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

of  the  earth,  and  thou  wilt  bring  all  things  to  pass  that 
shall  establish  peace  upon  justice,  and  universal  liberty 
upon  equity,  and  all  nations  shall  see  the  salvation  of 
God. 

And  now,  Lord,  we  commend  to  thee  these  dear 
children  that  have  been  brought  and  offered  up  in  con- 
secration. Deliver  these  parents  from  superstitious  re- 
liance upon  outward  form  that  is  but  signiiicant  of  an 
inward  consecration.  May  the  purpose  of  their  heart, 
Avhich  they  have  formed  to-day,  abide  with  them  and  be 
as  a  rudder  in  the  household,  a  discipline,  an  education, 
an  example,  a  care.  May  we  accept,  also,  the  charge  as 
brethren  in  one  household  of  faith  which  is  brought 
to  us  ;  may  we  sympathize  with  each  other  in  the  family, 
and  in  the  care  and  trouble  of  rearing  our  children. 

We  pray  that  thou  wilt  remember  all  that  have  brought 
their  children  in  days  past — all  that  have  brought 
them  before  thee  in  the  sanctuary  and  the  closet,  any- 
where in  the  faith  of  Christ  have  humbly  attempted  to 
educate  their  children  to  thee.  We  beseech  thee  that 
thou  wilt  bless  their  children  ;  may  they  grow  up  in 
purity,  and  if  tempted,  be  able  to  resist  temptation ;  may 
they  be  able  to  break  through  every  snare,  and  go  forth 
from  Christian  youth  to  Christian  manhood.  Help 
parents  that  are  tried  ;  whose  patience  is  tried,  who  are 
in  distress  of  heart  respecting  their  household,  in  any 
wise  whatsoever ;  may  they  find  that  neglecting  faith  is 
cause  of  more  trouble,  and  may  they  be  able  to  cast  their 
care  upon  the  Lord,  wdio  careth  for  them. 

Thou,  Everlasting  Strength,  hast  set  thyself  forth 
to  bear  our  burdens.  May  we  bear  thy  cross,  and 
bearing  that,  find  there  is  nothing  else  to  bear;  and 
touching  that  cross,  find  that  instead  of  taking  away  our 


BAPTISMAL    SERVICE.  91 

strength,  it  adds  thrreto.  Give  us  faith  for  darkness, 
for  trouble,  for  sorrow,  for  bereavement,  for  disappoint- 
ment ;  give  us  a  faith  that  will  abide  though  the  earth 
itself  should  pass  away — a  faith  for  living,  a  faith  for 
dying. 

Grant,  we  beseech  of  thee,  O  Lord  God,  that  when 
we  shall  have  passed  through  these  years  of  uninterpreted 
sorrows  and  cares,  and  gone  through  all  the  instrumen- 
talities by  which  thou  art  in  thy  school  educating  us,  and 
we  have  come  to  the  end,  the  appointed  bound,  O 
grant  that  then  we  may  not  be  afraid  to  venture  further ; 
may  we  find  ourselves  mightily  lifted  up  by  the  Spirit, 
borne  upward  to  thy  very  presence ;  and  standing  in  Zion 
and  before  God,  may  we  be  satisfied  and  undisappointed 
and  unterrified  ;  may  we  stand  to  behold  him  whom  our 
souls  delight  in,  and  to  whom  we  have  feebly  cried ;  may 
we  behold  thee  in  thy  glory  and  find  ourselves  welcomed 
there,  saved  with  an  everlasting  salvation.  And  to  thy 
name  shall  be  the  praise,  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit,  ever- 
more.    Amen. 


CLOSING  PRAYER. 

Our  Fatlier,  wilt  thou  bless  the  word  spoken  to  every  one ;  may  it  go 
with  power  not  human,  but  divine.  Make  us  willing  workers,  patient 
"workers,  persevering  workers.  May  we  desire  to  add  to  every  grace  the 
next,  or  to  each  grace  in  a  lower  form  the  next  highest  form.  May  we 
have  such  a  comprehensive  view  of  how  much  tliere  is  to  need  our  pecu- 
liar care,  and  all  the  successive  stages  and  evolutions  of  it,  that  we  might 
leave  the  follies  of  those  that  count  themselves  perfected  and  of  those 
that  think  they  have  already  attained  perfection,  and  that  we  may  apply 
ourselves  with  diligence  and  patience,  and  that  unto  the  very  end  that 
Christ  may  be  formed  in  us  the  hope  of  glory.  This  is  thy  work.  "We 
do  not  desire  through  indolence  to  rest  upon  thy  sovereignty,  yet  we 
gratefully  recognize  it  as  high  above  our  weakness ;  high  above  the  frost  is 
thy  sun,  high  above  tlie  sky  is  thy  summer ;  high  above  our  impotence  is 
tiiy  power,  and  high  above  our  ignorance  is  thy  bright,  far-seeing  wisdom 
and  goodness,  and  our  hope  is  in  thee.  Deliver  us,  we  beseech  of  thee,  0 
Lord  our  God,  thou  in  whom  we  have  trusted,  and  deliver  us  unto  the  end 
that  finally  we  may  be  saved,  which  we  ask  for  Christ's  sake.     Amen. 


GROWTH  IN   GRACE. 


Sabdafh    Morning. 

INVOCATION. 

Our  Father  I  we  are  thy  children,  come  home  this  morning  to  the  place 
of  invitation,  the  place  made  sacred  by  the  fulfillment  of  thy  promises  ten 
thousand  times  to  us.  Thou  hast  made  our  wants  to  grow,  that  thou 
laayest  have  the  privilege  every  day  of  supplying  them,  and  that  we  might 
be  brought  into  the  sweetest  connection  with  thee,  by  taking,  day  by  day, 
our  daily  bread  from  thine  hand.  "We  come  to-day,  then,  to  take  what 
thou  shalt  give  us;  and  as  thou  art  our  bread  and  the  water  of  life,  the 
life,  the  breath,  the  all  in  all,  grant  us  thyself  and  we  are  supplied. 
Help  us  to  read  thy  word,  to  sing  thy  praises,  to  commune  with  thee  in 
prayer,  to  speak  and  to  hear  from  thee.  We  ask  it  for  Christ's  sake. 
Amen. 

BEFORE    SERJION. 

"We  tliank  thee,  that  we  are  again  brought  to  the  house 
of  prayer ;  and  that  we  are  permitted,  our  Father,  to  make 
known  onr  wants,  not  because  thou  needest  to  be  told ; 
thou  knowest  before  we  want  what  we  shall  need ;  and 
our  own  uneasiness,  that  does  not  yet  even  interpret 
what  the  trouble  is,  is  well  understood  by  thee,  before 
whom  the  thoughts  and  the  intents  of  the  heart  are  ever 
open.  But  thou  hast  made  it  to  be  pleasant  and  to  be 
profitable  to  ns  to  ask,  and  consciously  to  receive  in  ask- 
ing, the  things  which  we  need.     Thou  hast  made  us  to  be 


94  beecher's  pulpit  deyotioxs. 

like  tliee  not  only,  but  to  be  thy  cbilclren  ;  and  all  the 
oiiices  of  duty  are  made  to  bring  us  around  about  tbee, 
and  into  personal  intercourse  with  thee ;  and  we  rejoice 
in  thee,  every  one.  We  would  not  pluck  our  blessings 
from  thee  as  men  pluck  fruit  from  trees  which  they  never 
planted.  We  desire  so  to  receive  our  mercies,  as  that 
from  every  taking,  we  shall  think  of  thee,  and  feel 
warmth  and  gratitude  to  thee ;  for  all  the  things  that  do 
now  attend  upon  our  perverted  natures  are  making  us 
earthly,  and  are  sending  us  aside  to  the  Creation  instead 
of  to  the  Creator. 

And  we  desire  evermore  to  be  made  so  conscious  of  our 
dependence  upon  thee,  and  of  tbe  endearing  and  ennobling 
relations  that  there  are  between  us,  that  we  shall  be 
turned  toward  thee  by  the  things  that  are  made  and 
which  we  use  day  by  day.  We  have  become  selfish ;  we 
have  perverted  our  best  powers ;  we  have  not  given  to 
ourselves  that  growtb  which  belongs  to  our  nature.  We 
have  pursued  the  things  in  life  which  thou  hast  forbid- 
den ;  we  have  left  neglected  and  unsearched  the  things 
which  thou  hast  commanded ;  and  thou  beholdest  us 
altogether  sinful,  and  stained  in  every  part. 

We  need  forgiveness ;  we  need  divine  forbearance;  we 
need  a  new  creation ;  we  need  to  be  inspired  by  the  energy 
of  thy  mind,  that  never  faints,  and  never  is  weary. 
Blessed  be  thy  name  that  thou  art  our  watch,  our  guide ; 
thou  art  our  Captain  in  the  hour  of  conflict.  Thou,  who 
art  in  the  night  the  bright  and  morning  star,  and  in  the 
day  the  sun  of  righteousness  ;  thou  art  to  us  the  shadow 
of  a  rock  in  a  weary  land — our  tower,  into  which  we  run 
when  pursued ;  our  Saviour,  our  pavilion,  where  we  can 
hide  until  the  storm  be  overpast.     What  is  there  that  we 

know  of  grace,  or  purity,  or  comfort,  or  strength  in  things 

/ 


GEOWTH   IN   GRACE.  95 

of  eartli,  that  tliou  hast  not  selected  them  ■  and  called 
them  by  their  name ;  so  that  we  can  neither  by  day  nor 
by  night  touch  any  thing  that  is  made  of  thee,  that  it  hath 
not  some  message  impressed  npon  it  from  thee  to  us. 
All  things  are  speaking  to  us  of  God,  if  we  were  not 
deaf  and  would  not  hear.  We  pray,  O  Lord,  that  thou 
wilt  grant  that  the  experience,  little  though  it  be,  of  our 
love  and  joy  in  thee  in  time  past,  may  not  fade  out,  but 
rather  augment;  grant,  we  beseech  of  thee,  that  the 
things  which  aforetime  have  held  us  away  from  thee, 
may  now  lead  us  more  closely  to  thee. 

We  thank  thee  for  our  blessings.  Often  we  have  per- 
verted them ;  the  gift  was  good,  except  in  the  using ; 
and  now  we  pray  that  thou  wilt  send  us  the  blessings 
that  we  need,  and  with  them  thy  grace,  by  which  we 
shall  be  able  to  employ  them  aright.  May  we  be  enabled 
to  develop  ourselves  by  all  the  benefactions  of  thy  provi- 
dence ;  may  we  not  grow  selfish  by  prosperity,  nor  hard 
by  reason  of  power  and  influence.  May  we  not  grow 
conceited,  because  thy  light  shines  in  our  path  to  teach 
us  where  to  go.  When  we  are  strengthened  of  God,  may 
we  not  feel  that  we  are  independent  of  thee;  may  we 
rejoice  in  all  our  affections,  and  ma^^  we  not  make  idols 
of  the  things  which  we  love.  May  we  learn  to  love 
all  our  friends,  and  to  hold  all  our  friendships  in  the 
light  of  the  eternal  world; — our  children,  our  brothers, 
and  our  sisters,  our  companions  and  friends  of  every 
name,  may  they  not  be  as  roots  that  hold  on  to  this  soil 
and  earth,  but  rather  as  blossoms  that  always  lie  with 
bosom  open  to  the  light  and  the  air  of  heaven. 

And  in  the  midst  of  these  things,  may  we  not  only 
not  be  held  down  and  back,  but  rather  strengthened 
to    rise    up   and   to    go   forward.      May   we    learn   to 


96  eeechek's  ruLPiT  devotions. 

bear  with  one  another,  each  his  brother's  burden ;  may 
we  hibor  to  alleviate  each  other's  cares ;  maj  we 
seek  to  live  not  selfishly,  but  grant  that  we  may  take 
hold  the  one  of  another's  hand,  remembering  that  we  are 
members  one  of  another,  and  so  may  the  law  of  love  be 
more  and  more  exemplified  in  onr  disposition  and  in  our 
outward  life. 

May  we  desire  to  be  pure.  May  we  desire  to  be  bene- 
volent ;  may  our  yearnings  be  for  these  things.  May  we 
not  leave  it  to  the  coercion  of  daily  duty,  but  may  our 
yearnings  be  for  that  life  in  our  souls  that  is  in  thine. 
Thou  art  love ;  and  whilst  upon  earth,  Blessed  Jesus, 
thou  didst  go  about  doing  good,  and  unto  the  end  ;  may 
that  example  quicken  and  strengthen  and  comfort  us. 

"We  pray  that  thou  wilt  bless  those  that  are  gathered 
together,  according  to  their  several  wants.  Thou  knowest 
every  one;  all  the  secret  temptation,  the  secret  sorrow, 
the  secret  weakness,  the  perplexity,  the  darkness  of  mind, 
the  foreboding  sadness,  the  remembered  grief,  the  antici- 
pated trouble — all  things  are  naked  and  open  before 
thee  with  whom  we  have  to  do;  and  as  thou  causest  the 
clouds  to  rain  down  of  thy  abundance,  so  that  all  the 
myriads  of  things  that  need  the  showers  do  receive  their 
portion  in  due  season,  so  grant,  we  beseech  thee,  that 
thy  blessings  may  come  down  to  this  congregation,  and 
every  one  may  find  that  God  is  thinking  of  liim.  May 
every  one  feel,  to-day,  that  some  heavenly  influence  hath 
met  and  blest  him. 

Be  with  all  those  that  are  separated  from  us,  but  who 
belong  to  us,  wherever  they  may  be.  If  sickness  detains 
them,  or  journeying,  or  residence  afiir  off,  or  whatever 
other  separation  or  hindrance,  still  may  we  to-day  feel 
that  we  are  united  to  Christ ;  and  as  we  rise  in  sacred 


GROWTH    IN    GEACE.  97 

song,  in  the  fellowship  of  love  and  worship,  or  in  com- 
munings and  meditations,  by  as  much  as  we  come  near 
to  thee,  may  we  feel  that  we  are  coming  near  to  those 
that  are  dear  to  us,  and  so  evermore  on  earth  may  we 
have  premonitions  of  that  blessedness  which  awaits  us  in 
heaven,  where  we  shall  all  be  united  one  to  another, 
because  to  thee.  On  earth  may  it  begin,  so  that  disper- 
sions and  separations  shall  have  no  power  to  make  voids 
between  us,  but  unite  us  by  faith  in  Christ  even  to 
those  that  are  his  disciples  here  upon  earth.  Glorify 
thyself  in  the  truth;  glorify  thyself,  we  beseech  thee,  in 
this  land  by  the  events  that  are  transpiring.  Wilt  thou 
advance  the  cause  of  justice  and  of  truth ;  may  the  whole 
world  receive  thy  blessing,  which  hath  so  long  been 
delayed ;  at  last,  O  grant  that  the  glory  of  the  Lord  may 
shine  over  all  the  world,  and  the  daylight  of  heaven 
come ;  and  to  thy  name  shall  be  the  praise.  Father,  Son, 
and  Spirit.     Amen. 

5 


CLOSING  PRATER. 

Our  heavenly  Father,  we  beseech  of  thee  that  thou  wilt  follow  the  word 
spoken,  by  the  Holj  Spirit  upon  the  hearts  of  men,  that  the  truth  may 
fall  therein  as  seed  into  good  ground.  Incline  them  to  thy  ways,  that 
they  may  learn  those  ways.  Make  them  hungry,  and  then  thou  wilt  be 
bread  sweet  to  their  taste ;  make  them  thirsty,  and  then  they  will  seize 
the  water  of  life.  When  prostrate  by  thine  hand,  console  them,  that  they 
may  hail  the  life  that  brings  them  forth  again.  Cast  them  down  wounded, 
that  they  may  see  that  thou  art  a  physician,  and  that  they  may  accept  the 
healing  service.  0  teach  us,  we  beseech  thee,  above  all  other  things 
how  Christ  may  be  formed  in  us  the  hope  of  glory.  Fulfill  thy  promises ; 
come  to  us,  0  Jesus ;  come  and  speak  with  us,  come  and  abide  with  us. 
Go  not  forth  with  the  twilight;  go  not  forth  with  the  morning;  dweL 
with  us ;  and  when  at  last  summoned  we  come  forth  out  of  this  taber- 
nacle, 0  leave  us  not  nor  forsake  us ;  but  may  our  first  consciousness  be, 
when  we  awake,  that  we  are  in  thy  likeness ;  that  we  are  in  thy  kingdom  ; 
that  we  are  in  thy  presence,  received  and  saved  with  an  everlasting 
salvation ;  and  to  thy  name  shall  be  the  praise,  Father,  Sod,  and  Spirits 
evermore.    Amen. 


FOR  A  HIGHER  LIFE. 


AN    EVENING    PRATER. 


"We  rejoice,  O  Lord  our  God,  that  thou  art  great,  and 
needest  not  that  any  one  should  draw  near  to  augment 
thy  glory ;  yet  by  reason  of  thine  heart,  thou  dost  need 
even  us,  and  thou  dost  bend  toward  us  even  as  a  father 
toward  his  children.  We  rejoice  that  thy  greatness 
doth  not  separate  thee  from  thy  creatures.  We  rejoice 
that  perfect  purity,  which  we  know  nothing  of  in  this 
life,  is  revealed  to  us  in  thee ;  not  as  hating  and  despis- 
ing the  impure,  but  as  full  of  pity  and  full  of  merc^^,  and 
full  of  patient  forbearance  and  full  of  all  curative  com- 
fort. And  we  rejoice  that  such  is  thy  nature,  and  that 
thou  art  royal  in  thy  mercies.  Thou  art  God  over  all, 
blessed  forever,  because  thou  art  good  unto  all,  and  for- 
ever blessing. 

And  now  we  desire  to  unite  the  acclamation  of  our 
voice,  and  the  consent  of  our  heart,  and  the  full  strength 
of  our  desire,  to  those  that  praise  thee  in  heaven.  We 
give  ascriptions  of  praise  to  thee ;  we  glory  in  thy 
majesty,  and  in  the  grandeur  of  thy  being.  We  rejoice 
in  thy  supremacy,  and  that  we  are  beneath  thy  sway. 
We  rejoice  in  thy  goodness,  and  while  we  adore  thee,  we 
love  thee  more ;  and  we  desire,  O  Lord  our  God,  though 
with  faintness  of  spirit  and  with  weakness  of  light  in  the 


100  beeciiek's  pulpit  devotions. 

midst  of  temptations,  iu  the  midst  of  darkness  and  igno- 
rance, with  ten  thousand  wavering  steps,  and  mistakes 
innnmerable,  yet  we  desire  to  follow  thee.  Whatever 
waves  roll  over  ns,  whatever  streams  drive  us  out  of  our 
path,  whatever  befalls  us,  we  come  again  to  this  one 
desire  of  life ;  that  we  may  follow  after  thee,  and  be  con- 
formed to  thine  image,  and  become  thy  children  indeed, 
and  have  an  evidence  that  we  are  to  have  the  inheritance 
of  the  saints  in  glory. 

And  further  we  desire,  O  Lord  our  God  !  that  thou  wilt 
strengthen  all  that  is  good  within  us,  and  teach  us  how 
to  put  it  forth.  Help  us  to  restrain  whatever  is  evil,  to 
bind  it  for  Christ's  sake  and  by  the  power  of  G-od, 
through  Christ  Jesus  given  unto  us.  We  pray  that  God 
will  grant  unto  us,  that  the  fountain  of  all  goodness  and 
divine  love  may  be  in  us.  May  we  have  those  secret 
beginnings  of  grace  ;  may  we  learn  how  to  chastise  sel- 
fishness, how  to  humble  pride,  how  to  restrain  every 
wavward  and  vicious  inclination  that  offends  as^ainst  the 
purity  of  our  souls  or  the  peace  of  our  fellow-men. 

And  may  we  not  take  counsel  of  the  world  ;  may  we 
not  listen  to  its  suggestions,  nor  measure  what  is  right  by 
its  customs  alone.  May  we  not  feel  that  that  is  obedi- 
ence enouo-h  to  thee  which  fulfills  the  measure  of  obedi- 
ence  required  by  human  laws  and  usages  ;  but  may  we,  as 
disciples  of  Christ,  be  forever  growing  to  something  higher ; 
to  something  nobler  in  justice,  truer  iu  veracity,  greater 
in  honor,  purer  in  life  than  that  wliicli  is  required  by 
men.  And  so  may  our  life  be  above  life  ;  so  may  our  path, 
though  it  be  straight  and  narrow,  tend  speedily  above 
all  the  lov»'er  ways  of  time. 

O  strengthen  us  against  temptation ;  against  those 
temptations   that   are  peculiar  to   each   of  us.      Thou 


FOR   A   HIGHER   LIFE,  101 

knowest  wliere  the  adversary  most  easily  forces  our 
defenses ;  be  gracious  to  every  one  in  those  respects  in 
whicli  they  need  divine  help.  May  those  that  are  cap- 
tives be  set  free ;  those  that  are  discouraged  in  their 
warfare  with  evil,  be  empowered  of  God ;  and  may  all 
of  us  be  steadfast,  unmovable,  always  abounding  in  the 
work  of  the  Lord. 

We  pray  that  we  may  be  inspired  to  nobleness  of  life 
in  the  least  things.  May  we  dignify  all  our  daily  life. 
May  we  set  such  a  sacredness  upon  every  part  of  our  life, 
as  means  appointed  for  the  glorious  ends  of  our  edifica- 
tion, that  nothing  shall  be  trivial,  nothing  unimportant, 
and  nothing  dull,  in  all  the  daily  round  of  life. 

O  may  we  have  thy  presence  so  long  as  we  live. 
Abandon  us  not  when  old  age  shall  come.  "Whatever 
changes  may  intervene  or  then  may  co^ie  upon  us, 
wherever  we  may  be,  in  sickness,  and  when  weakness 
begins  to  take  hold  upon  the  strength  of  death,  O  Lord 
Jesus,  abandon  ns  not  in  the  trying  hour,  in  that  grand 
passage,  and  in  that  beginning  of  immortalitj^  which  lies 
before  us  all.  May  we  not  only  have  faith  in  Clirist 
Jesus,  but  the  presence  of  Christ  consciously  with  ns. 
May  we  be  cheered  in  our  weakness,  may  all  our  doubts 
as  clouds  be  driven  away,  and  may  the  bright  smiling  of 
thy  face  be  as  a  guiding  star ;  and  following  thee,  may  we 
wake  in  heaven,  at  rest  and  glorified  for  evermore.  And 
to  thy  name  shall  be  the  praise,  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit. 
Amen. 


CLOSING    PRAYER. 

Grant  unto  us,  our  heavenly  Father,  to  live  as  seeing  him  who  is  invisi- 
ble. Thus  thine  ancient  servants  went  through  incredible  labor  with 
wonderful  patience  and  endurance,  and  thy  servants  in  every  age  have 
achieved  the  mightiest  victories,  because  they  saw  God  where  other  men 
saw  but  void.  Give  us  to  behold  thee  in  the  largeness  of  thy  mercy  and 
goodness.  Give  our  souls  the  habit  of  trusting  thee,  so  that  when  by  and 
by  we  need  to  trust,  or  we  should  die,  we  shall  find  it  easy  to  anchor  in  the 
bosom  of  thy  love.  0  Lord  God  we  have  no  reason  to  ask  these  things 
in  ourselves ;  we  cannot  pay  thee ;  we  have  done  nothing  why  thou 
shouldst  requite  us  thus.  The  reason  why  we  ask  is  that  it  is  more 
blessed  to  give  than  to  receive.  This  is  thy  nature.  We  ask  from  thy 
generosity ;  we  ask  from  thy  royalty.  0,  thou  infinitely  rich,  give  us  of  thy 
riches ;  thou  that  art  infinitely  strong,  give  us  of  thy  strength.  Our  Father, 
nourish  us  because  thou  lovest  thy  children.  And  so,  we  beseech  of  thee 
give  us  every  day  to  walk  in  the  consciousness  of  our  filial  relation  to 
thee,  unto  the  very  end  of  this  life ;  and  then,  when  heaven  dawns,  may  we 
appear  in  our  true  life  before  thee  as  thou  art,  and  be  satisfied  because  we 
are  in  thine  image.  And  to  thy  name  shall  be  the  praise  of  our  salvation 
Father,  Son  and  Spirit.     Amen. 


CHRIST   OUR    NECESSITY  AND  JOY. 


Sahhath  Morning. 

INVOCATION. 

Tnou  hast  opened  thy  hand,  0  Lord  our  G-od,  and  the  earth  doth  smile 
with  the  Hght  of  thy  countenance.  Thy  hands  give  forth  substantial 
blessings,  and  thy  voice  reaches  even  unto  our  souls ;  and  we  are  blest  in 
both.  We  beseech  thee,  therefore,  that  we  may  recognize  this  morning 
that  thou  art  the  source  of  all  our  good.  May  we  be  glad  in  thy  presence  ; 
and,  coming  into  thy  temple,  may  we  believe  that  here  are  peace  and  joy; 
here  is  love;  here  communion  with  God  and  rest  for  the  weary  soul. 
"Wilt  thou,  therefore,  bless  us  in  the  exercises  of  our  assembly.  In  every 
word  of  instruction  which  v/e  shall  endeavor  to  speak,  in  the  reading  of 
thy  word,  in  offering  up  petitions  and  prayers,  in  sacred  song  together,  in 
our  meditation,  in  every  thing  that  we  shall  do,  may  we  have  help  and 
blessing.  G-o  with  us  to  our  homes,  and  may  tliere  be  Sabbath  in  the 
household  as  well  as  in  the  sanctuary — the  rest  which  thou  givest  unto 
thy  people.     We  ask  it  for  Christ's  sake.     Amen. 

BEFORE   SERMON. 

What  are  we,  O  Lord  our  God,  that  we  should  wor- 
ship thee?  Thou  dost  not  need  our  praises;  thou  art 
surrounded  in  heaven  by  those  of  nobler  stature,  and 
thou  hast,  dawning  like  tlie  morning  round  about  thee, 
glorious  ones  that  have  kept  their  first  estate ;  and  thou 
hast  in  every  part  of  thy  heavenly  domain  innumerable 
spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect,  and  there  thou  thyself 
dost  teach  the  everlasting  choir,  and  joy  is  their  music. 
They  behold  thee,  not  with  mortal  eyes,  nor  through  tlie 
veil  of  infirmity  and  passion,  but  as  thou  art ;  and  are 
perpetually  drawn  toward  thee,  not  alone  by  the  voice 
of  praise  and  by  sympathies,  for  thou  art  making  them 


104  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

like  unto  tliee.  They  perform  tlnne  offices ;  they  go 
forth  at  thy  word,  and  going  to  the  utmost  bounds  and 
domain  of  God,  are  still  at  home  with  tliee ;  for  that  is 
heaven  v/here  thou  art,  and  thou  art  everywhere  to  those 
that  love  thee. 

We  rejoice,  O  Lord  Jesus,  that  thou  art  praised  in 
heaven  and  with  heavenly  perfection,  and  that  therefore 
thou  dost  not  in  this  way  need  our  praises ;  and  yet  thou 
hast  taught  us  that  wonderful  and  blessed  truth,  that 
thou  dost  need  us ;  for  thou  dost  pray  for  us,  tliat  where 
thou  art  v/e  may  be  also.  We  can  faintly  interpret  what 
thou  art  by  our  own  experience  in  this — for  we  know 
that  it  is  not  alone  those  that  are  our  fit  companions,  that 
rise  and  stand  by  us,  that  we  need,  but  that  we  liave 
need  often  of  the  pity  and  love  of  those  that  are  less  than 
we,  and  that  are  far  below  us  in  moral  stature ;  and  we 
believe  that  thus,  even  in  these  faint  experiences,  we 
have  some  conception  of  the  majesty,  greatness,  and 
grandeur,  of  that  nature  of  God  which  leads  him  to  need 
us  and  to  yearn  f  )r  us.  We  see  in  this  the  mystery  of 
divine  love,  which  shall  never  by  searching  be  found 
out — known  more  and  more,  more  and  more  unfolding, 
never  perfectly  known  and  never  exhausted — that  won- 
derful love  of  Christ.  O  Lord  our  God,  we  thank  thee 
for  the  revelation  of  it.  We  thank  thee  for  the  rest  and 
the  unspeakable  comfort  which  we  have  in  the  thought 
of  thee. 

If  we  turn  to  what  we  are,  if  we  look  to  our  achieve- 
ments, if  we  measure  even  our  hope  and  aspiration,  there 
is  but  very  little  satisfaction,  and  soon  worn  out.  Thero 
is  not  in  all  the  weavings  of  our  fancy,  in  all  the  turnii)gg 
of  our  thoughts,  or  in  our  daily  life,  enough  to  gratify 
us.     We  need  God.     Thou  hast  iniinite  fullness,  great- 


CHRIST    OUR   NECESSITY    AND    JOT.  105 

ness,  and  glory.  In  thee  is  all  purity  and  goodness,  all 
justice  and  truth  ;  in  thee  are  all  things  that  engage  the 
heart,  enwrap  the  imagination,  and  fire  the  soul  with  ec- 
stasy. All  are  born  with  thee  and  dwell  with  thee ;  and 
thou  art  in  thy  heart  sufficient  for  all  the  wants  of  all  the 
hearts  tliroughout  the  desolate  universe.  O  Lord  our 
God  !  when  shall  we  rise  to  some  conception  of  thee  above 
the  things  that  thou  hast  made  ?  When  shall  we  see  in 
these  things,  but  mere  symbols  and  interpretations  of  thy 
nature,  until  human  life  shall  be  an  ever- written  gospel ; 
until  nature  itself  shall  be  again  the  book  of  God  to  our 
eye,  as  once  it  was  to  the  eyes  of  prophets  and  inspired 
men. 

O  Lord  our  God !  thou  art  teaching  us  through  thy 
written  word,  that  we  may  know  how  to  understand  thy 
created  revelation.  Grant,  we  beseech  thee,  that  we  may 
know  the  beginning  of  all  knowledge  of  God,  by  the  im- 
planted spirit  of  God  in  us.  We  pray  that  thou  wilt 
cleanse  our  souls  from  the  darkness  of  nature ;  that  thou 
wilt  brood  upon  us,  and  bring  from  chaos  out  of  the 
furnace  of  creation  all-ordered  things.  If  there  are  those 
in  thy  presence  that  are  wistfully  looking  toward  the 
East,  who  long  to  see  some  light,  O  Lord  Jesus  !  thou 
bright  and  morning  star,  dawn  upon  them. 

If  there  are  others  present  that  have  seen  thee,  that 
have  known  thee  in  times  past,  but  who  have  lost  the 
sweetness  of  early  experience,  who  have  but  fitful  gleams 
and  rejoicings,  O  Lord  Jesus  !  rise  upon  them  as  a  sun 
of  righteousness,  with  heahng  in  thy  beams,  and  give  them 
daylight,  full,  bright  and  serene.  If  there  are  those  that 
look  at  themselves  more  than  they  look  at  God,  and  are 
fjereft  of  joy  and  comfort,  by  reason  of  self-condemna- 
tion, doubt  and  a])prehension,  filled  with  conscious  guilt, 


106  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

that  thou  hast  withdrawn  ;  O  sweetly  charm  their  vision 
that  they  may  forget  to  look  at  themselves,  and  that  they 
may  behold  the  unspeakable  glory  of  Jesus  Christ, 
which  is  a  better  vision.  May  they  at  last  learn  tliat 
their  strength  is  in  Christ  and  not  in  tliemselves,  and 
that  it  is  the  righteousness,  the  boundless  grace  and 
goodness  and  love  of  Christ  that  is  to  save  them,  and  not 
the  longings  of  their  own  will  and  j)Ower.  If  there  are 
found  in  thy  presence  those  that  have  had  a  faith  of  thee 
and  have  lost  it,  and  are  wandering  in  darkness  and 
trouble,  who  at  times  think  it  is  a  vain  delusion,  and  are 
ruslied  upon  by  strong  desires  of  something  nobler  and 
better  than  life's  experiences,  O  Lord,  let  them  not  drift 
forever  thus  out  at  sea  without  guidance,  and  subject  to 
swellino;  storms.  Go  to  them,  thou  that  walkest  on  the 
water,  thou  that  hast  control  of  the  elements,  thou  that 
didst  save  thy  terrified  ones.  O  Lord  Jesus,  go  to  any 
that  are  thus  drifting  further  and  further  toward  dark- 
ness. 

If  there  are  those  that  are  in  despondency,  whose  hope 
in  Christ  is  as  if  Christ  in  the  ship  were  asleep  in  the 
storm,  rise  thyself,  O  storm-calming  Christ,  and  calm  their 
terror,  and  give  them  peace  that  they  may  praise  thee. 
Is  not  every  heart  a  temple  of  God  ?  O  how  wonderful 
shall  be  the  offering  of  every  one  who  knows  how  now 
out  of  a  grateful  heart  to  speak  forth  thy  praise !  What 
other  thing  can  we  ask?  Disclose  thyself  to  every  one — 
thy  love,  thy  gentleness,  thy  faithfulness,  thy  fidelity  that 
cannot  be  overcome ;  that  power  that  is  more  than  life, 
more  than  death — tliat  power  that  reigns  in  heaven  and 
controls  in  hell.  Disclose  thyself  to  every  one,  not  as  the 
God  of  judgment,  though  thou  wilt  judge  ;  not  as  a  God 
of  justice,  though   thou  art  unspeakably  holy;  but   so 


CHRIST    OUE   NECESSITY   AXD   JOY.  107 

breathe  consolation  upon  every  clouded  spirit  that  light 
and  promise  shall  come  to  every  heart  that  is  mourn- 
ing. 

Begin  the  work  of  grace  in  those  where  it  is  not 
begun;  carry  it  forward  in  all  hearts  where  thou  hast 
begun  it ;  and,  O  Lord,  perfect  it  in  those  that  have  long 
sought  thee  and  have  not  perfectly  found  thee ;  and  may 
there  be  many  among  us  upon  whom  shall  begin  to 
dawn  that  perfect  peace,  that  peace  which  flows  as  a 
river,  whose  sources  and  fountains  are  not  in  any  earthly 
thing,  but  in  God.  Be  very  near  to  those  in  thy  pres- 
ence that  need  divine  quickening  and  help  ;  for  thou  art 
so  wonderful  in  thy  mercy,  that  thou  dost  not  alone  help 
us  in  our  greaest  wants,  but  in  least ;  for  there  is  nothing 
that  concerns  us  that  does  not  concern  thee. 

If  there  are  any  present  troubled  with  affliction, 
thou  art  here  to  answer  their  petition.  If  there  are  any 
that  are  grievously  oppressed  by  poverty,  and  know  not 
what  to  do  ;  thou,  O  God,  art  here  to  listen  to  their 
complaint  and  to  send  them  succor.  If  there  are  any 
here  who  are  weary  with  sickness,  and  troubled  for  want 
of  sympathy ;  thou  art  their  God  and  dost  love  them,  and 
they  may  come  to  thee  with  all  their  trouble,  for  thou 
wilt  not  cast  out  their  complaint.  If  there  are  any  that 
are  straitened  in  business  and  burdened  with  social  cares, 
here  thou  wilt  permit  them  to  bring  their  secular  affairs  ; 
not  that  they  may  turn  them  in  their  minds  to  make  life 
more  weary  and  care  more  vexatious,  but  here  they  may 
lay  down  their  burden  ;  here  they  may  be  sustained  witli 
a  consciousness  that  they  are  leaning  upon  the  staff  of 
God,  and  that  all  events  are  in  his  hand,  and  that  all 
things  shall  work  together  for  good. 

If  there  are  any  that  are  mourning  because  thou  hast 


108  i^eechek's  pulpit  devotioxs. 


taken  their  children  from  them ;  thou  canst  show  them  to 
them  again.  If  there  are  those  present  from  whom  thou 
hast  taken  friends  and  companions ;  thou  canst  let  them 
see  them.  Only  the  bodily  form  is  gone ;  they  are  near 
to  them,  and  thou  canst  reveal  how  near  the  kingdom  of 
God  is  to  those  that  are  on  earth.  If  there  are  here  those 
who  are  strangers  in  a  strange  place,  O,  thou  canst  make 
tliem  understand  this  morning  that  they  are  of  the  house- 
hold of  faith,  and  that  here  is  their  Father's  house  and 
here  are  their  brethren.  If  there  are  those  that  are  in 
any  way  tried  or  have  any  need  v*diatsoever,  whether 
bodily  or  spiritually,  whether  of  the  afiections  or  of  the 
understanding,  or  of  things  domestic,  thou,  O  God,  art 
here  to-day  to  receive  supplications  from  every  one,  and 
to  show  thyself  royal  in  mercy  and  wonderful  in  wisdom, 
and  patient  beyond  all  earthly  degrees  of  patience. 

We  pray  that  we  may  not  offend  thee  by  unbelief; 
may  we  come,  every  one  of  us,  knowing  that  there  is 
nothing  more  pleasing  to  God  than  that  w^e  should  trust 
his  goodness,  and  that  we  should  presume  upon  his  mer- 
cy ; — that  we  should  come  boldly  to  the  throne  of  grace 
and  obtain  grace  in  time  of  need.  And  if  those  present 
gain  nothing  else,  may  every  one  of  us  go  away  feeling 
that  we  have  been  nearer  to  God,  with  a  greater  cer- 
tainty of  his  presence  overshadowing  us;  and  so  may 
we  feel  more  of  the  Spirit  of  God  carried  with  us. 

Be  thou  near  to  those  who  are  sick  and  cannot  come 
hither,  and  wilt  thou  grant  that  the  light  of  God  may  fill 
their  dwelling.  Chase  away  their  trouble,  their  doubts, 
and  their  unbelief,  and  give  them  sweet  peace  in  believ- 
ing in  Christ.  May  those  that  are  appointed  to  life 
again  come  forth  in  due  season,  chastened  by  sickness, 
and  made  better.     May  those  that  are  appointed  to  life 


CHRIST    OUE    NECESSITY    AKD    JOT.  100 

eternal,  issue  forth  out  of  the  gate  of  promise  and  hope, 
and  appear  in  Zion  and  before  God. 

"We  pray  for  the  outcast,  for  those  that  have  given 
themselves  over  to  work  iniquity — for  the  children  of 
vice  and  crime ;  for  those  that  have  had  no  instruction 
in  better  things,  unto  whom  the  gate  of  heaven  has  been 
shut ;  father  and  mother  both  teaching  the  ways  of  vice 
and  crime — O  God,  have  compassion  on  such.  Re- 
member those  that  sit  in  ignorance ;  remember  all 
that  are  in  oppression ;  all  that  are  in  any  way  the 
subjects  of  injustice  and  misrule.  We  pray  that  the 
whole  family  of  man  everywhere  may  come  up  in  remem- 
brance before  thee.  O  Lord  God,  how  long,  hoio  long 
shall  the  earth  carry  its  burden  ?  How  long  shall  the 
world  be  without  even  the  knowledge  of  God  %  How  long 
shall  darkness  and  besotted  ignorance  and  sin  brood  upon 
whole  continents  ?  How  long  shall  war  and  oppression, 
and  rapine  and  misrule,  desolate  the  earth  ?  When  shall 
the  realm  of  tears  cease  ?  When  shall  the  voice  of  singing 
be  heard  in  all  the  land  ?  Thou  hast  promised  better 
things.  O  God,  send  forth  thy  summer  in  which  this 
world  shall  ripen,  and  then  pluck  the  fruit,  that  thou 
may  est  glorify  thyself  with  it  through  the  ages  of 
eternity  ;  and  to  thy  name  shall  be  the  praise,  Father, 
Son,  and  Spirit.     Amen. 


CLOSING  PRAYER. 

Our  heavenly  Father,  -we  beseech  of  thee  that  we  may  be  impressed 
with  the  grandeur  of  those  truths  which  are  cast  out  in  thy  word  as  free . 
as  the  air,  and  which  we  breathe  as  unconsciously  as  we  breathe  the  air,  not 
knowing  what  they  teach.  0  grant  that  we  may  not  bo  surrounded  by 
thee,  nursed,  loved,  cared  for,  and  watclaed,  and  yet  not  know  thee. 
Forbid  that  wo  should  be  surrounded  with  God,  and  yet  be  unconscious 
and  indiifereut  Forgive  us  our  past  infidelity ;  forgive  us  our  atheism. 
Thou  hast  made  the  world,  and  we  have  emptied  it  of  thee.  0  help  us  to 
bring  God  back  again.  Help  us  to  see  that  thou  art  still  wallving  in  the 
garden,  not  alone  at  the  close  of  the  day,  but  all  through  its  hours.  May 
we  feel  that  thou  dost  come  into  the  house ;  that  thou  art  with  us  in  the 
breaking  of  bread,  and  dost  not  vanish  any  more.  May  we  feel  that  thou 
art  every  where ;  and  may  those  who  are  so  dependent  that  they  must 
needs  lean  back  their  heads,  lean  them  upon  thy  bosoui,  since  every  thing 
is  to  us  as  the  bosom  of  God,  for  thou  hast  made  all  things.  May  we 
understand  how  divine  truth  multiplies  itself,  how  it  goes  forth  in  all 
directions  and  surrounds  us.  May  we  be  made  npt  afraid,  but  strong  and 
rejoicing  in  this  all  surroimding  presence  of  our  God.  May  we  be  helped 
by  his  strength,  and  carried  by  him  in  his  eternal  march.  And  when  at 
last  we  have  passed  through  this  scene  of  ignorance,  disappointment,  sin, 
and  trial,  may  we  emerge  in  that  clear  light  of  an  unbroken  day;  and 
there  wo  will  praise  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Spirit.     Amen. 


petitioni:n^g  for  light. 


Sabbath  Morning. 

INVOCATION. 

"We  thank  thee,  0  Lord,  that  thou  hast  already  begun  to  do  us  good, 
even  in  thy  sanctuary ;  and  hast  Hfted  up  the  light  of  thy  countenance 
upon  us.  Now,  our  Father,  we  ask  that  thou  wilt  fulfill  thy  purposes. 
Breathe  that  divine  and  quickening  influence  upon  us  under  which  all  our 
powers  shall  rise  up  and  do  their  office- work.  Grant  us  all  needed  help 
in  the  reading  of  thy  word,  that  we  may  not  walk  through  it  as  though  it 
were  the  grave  of  truths,  but  that  we  may  behold  them  rising  in  power, 
touched  of  God ;  and  that  we  may  hear  thera  speaking  to  us.  Help  us  to 
lift  up  our  voice  in  prayer,  and  to  have  sweet  communion  with  thee;  and 
help  us  also  to  commune  with  thee  in  fellowship  with  each  other  in  sacred 
song.  May  we  rejoice  thus  to  mingle  our  voices  one  with  another,  and  go 
before  the  throne  of  a  common  Father.  Bless  us  in  speaking  from  thy 
truth,  in  meditating  upon  the  word  spoken,  and  in  all  the  exercises  of 
public  Worship  and  of  private  devotion,  this  day.  "We  ask  it  for  Christ's 
sake.     Amen. 

BEFORE  SERMON. 

Om  Heavenly  Father,  we  come  this  morning  to  ask 
that  thou  wilt  give  us  the  spirit  of  little  children,  that 
we  may  be  able  to  throw  off  that  pride  and  that  vanity 
which  have  grown  up  under  the  influences  of  this  world, 
and  which  have  not  enlightened  but  blinded  us,  makhig 
us  think  that  we  were  living  when  we  were  dead.  VV^e 
pray  that  we  may  be  able  to  look  upon  ourselves,  not  iu 


112  beeciier's  pulpit  devotioxs. 

the  light  of  other  men's  opinions ;  nor  according  to  our 
own  low  merit  as  judged  in  the  light  of  affection  and  of 
household  and  of  human  affairs.  May  we  behold  our- 
selves beneath  the  light  of  thy  law  and  under  the  light 
of  thy  countenance.  May  we  see  our  littleness,  our 
crude  moral  state,  our  scanty  attainments,  the  mixture 
of  motives  that  perpetually  play  upon  tlie  surface  of  our 
life ;  and  may  we  behold  the  deeper  and  darker  currents 
that  work  beneath.  May  we  behold  how  we  grow  out 
from  the  earth :  how  we  are  inclined  to  the  thine^s  that 
savor  not  of  God,  but  of  man ;  and  how  we  ofttimes  live 
under  influences  that  are  bearing  us  downward  and  fas- 
tening us  to  the  earth,  rather  than  inspiring  and  lifting 
us  toward  God. 

We  pray,  ay,  we  entreat,  tliat  we  may  have  such  a 
sense  of  our  sins,  that  we  shall  be  crlad  to  be  instructed 
by  every  word  of  thine.  May  we  have  such  a  sense  of 
our  wickedness,  that  it  shall  come  with  inconceivable  joy 
to  us  that  God  is  our  everlasting  strength.  May  we  be 
so  far  weaned  from  our  own  vainglorious  self-depend- 
ence, that  we  shall  be  willing  to  trust  in  Christ  and  to 
take  hold  by  faith  and  live  upon  him.  TVe  beseech  thee, 
not  that  thou  wilt  give  us  that  help  which  we  need  to  do 
the  things  that  are  of  the  body  and  of  the  earth  ; — for  that 
we  have  power;  but  to  do  the  things  that  lift  us  from 
the  earth  and  toward  the  spiritual  and  the  invisible ; — for 
that  we  need  instruction.  And  we  come  to  pray  that 
thou  wilt  crown  all  thy  daily  gifts  and  thine  other  in- 
numerable mercies,  with  that  sweetest  and  most  blessed 
gift,  the  Holy  Spirit,  so  that  every  one  of  us  may  feel 
that  the  flame  which  lights  our  path  is  divine,  that  we 
are  walking  in  no  uncertain  way,  that  we  are  not  left 
alone  to  the  suggestions  of  our  own  imagination,  nor  to 


PETITIONING  FOE   LIGHT.  113 

follow  tlie  imperfect  directions  of  our  own  reason,  but 
tliat  we  are  guided  of  God,  who  loves  us  and  lias  com- 
prehended us  in  the  arms  of  his  promises  ;  who  hns 
adopted  us  into  the  household  of  his  own  children,  and 
made  us  heirs  of  eternal  riches  that  are  yet  to  be  revealed 
in  us. 

!Now,  we  ask,  O  God,  if  there  are  those  in  thy  pre- 
sence who  are  rejoicing  before  thee,  who  have  learned 
that  thou  art  gracious,  who  know  of  a  surety  that 
there  is  a  life  hidden  with  Christ,  more  blessed  and 
joyful  than  any  disclosed  life  of  earthly  pleasure  or  suc- 
cess, if  to-day  they  oifer  up  their  tribute  of  thanksgiving 
and  of  gratitude,  be  pleased  to  accept  it  at  their  hands  ; 
and  if  they  have  found  access  to  thee  and  can  prevail  in 
prayer,  may  they  not  forget  those  round  about  them  that 
are  struggling  as  once  they  were.  May  their  prayers 
to-day  go  forth  for  all  their  Christian  brethren,  for  their 
more  perfect  emancipation,  and  for  a  more  perfect  dis- 
closure of  the  power  of  Christ  in  their  souls. 

Hear  their  cry  who  sometimes  love  thee,  but  whose 
hopes  are  often  clouded  ;  who  know  that  the  true  way  of 
life  is  that  which  leads  toward  the  Saviour,  but  who  lose 
that  way.  O  Lord,  we  beseech  of  thee  that  thou  wilt 
draw  near  to  such ;  and  Ave  pray  not  that  thou  wilt  take 
conscience  away  from  them,  but  magnify  its  office  in 
them  ;  and  add  to  it  a  faith  that  shall  discern,  a  trust  that 
shall  rest  in  Christ,  and  a  love  that  shall  be  able  to  find 
him  wherever  he  is.  May  they  grow  in  grace,  and  in  the 
knowledge  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour,  Jesus  Christ. 

And  if  there  are  in  thy  presence,  those  that  are  walk- 
ing in  the  exact  way,  avoiding  evil  and  seeking  good, 
walking  with  duty  as  a  perpetual  burden  and  ache,  O 
Lord  God,  fulnll  to  them  the  promise  thou  hast  made — 


114  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

and  may  thej  find  that  tlieir  religion,  which  is  of  duty, 
being  touched  of  Christ,  and  illumined  by  faith — may 
they  find  that  the  yoke  is  easy  and  the  burden  light. 
There  are  many  that  can  not  walk  by  reason  of  that 
burden  which  they  bear,  and  whose  life  is  one  perpetual 
throe  of  trouble,  and  almost  of  despair ;  but  thou  canst 
bring  them  forth,  quickening  all  the  power  of  doing 
right ;  thou  canst  make  sin  seem  to  them  yet  more  sinful 
and  evil,  more  hateful ;  and  yet  thou  canst  make  the 
victory  more  easy,  and  their  way  of  life  more  bright  and 
joyful  by  the  shining  of  thine  own  self,  shining  into  their 
souls  and  teaching  them  of  God. 

If  there  are  any  present  desiring  to  know  something 
of  these  things,  but  are  like  ignorant  men  that  know  not 
whither  to  go  nor  where  to  land,  O  Lord  Jesus,  thou 
canst  guide  the  lost,  for  thou  didst  come  to  seek  and  to 
save  the  lost,  and  we  commend  to  thee  to-day  every  heart 
that  is  in  any  wise  touched  with  a  desire  to  live  a  better 
life ;  may  they  not  be  content  to  live  simply  in  external 
things  better,  but  may  they  come  boldly  at  once  to  the 
throne  of  grace,  and  begin  to  live  a  Christian  life  in  faith 
and  love.  Bless  those  whom  in  thy  providence  thou 
hast  put  to  guide  the  inquirer ;  may  every  one  of  thy  dear 
people,  to  whom  thou  hast  given  some  experience  of 
divine  things,  feel  that  they  are  commissioned  of 
Almighty  God  to  be  his  ministering  servants,  and  that 
they  are  to  preach  the  Gospel  by  their  joy,  by  their 
purity,  and  also  by  the  word  of  mouth.  May  they  feel 
that  they  are  ordained  to  be  ministers  of  Christ,  and  that 
they  are  both  to  instruct  and  guide  those  round  about 
them,  giving  them  wisdom  and  an  appetite  for  these 
sacred  things.  May  they  rejoice  in  nothing  else  but 
Christ,  and  may  great  success  be  given  to  thy  people. 


petitio:n^ixg  fok  light.  115 

We  thank  thee  that  thou  art  manifesting  thyself  a  God 
of  power ;  giving  resurrection  from  the  old  life  into  tlio 
new,  so  that  thy  churches  are  brought  to  rejoice  in 
thy  goings  forth.  O  Lord,  we  rejoice  in  the  memory  of 
past  goodness,  in  thy  providential  mercies,  and  in  the 
belief  that  thou  art  not  far  from  us.  We  hear  thy  foot- 
steps here  and  there ;  we  learn  of  the  trophies  of  thy 
victorious  grace  in  one  and  another  instance,  and  our 
souls  are  glad  in  thee.  Even  so,  make  bare  thine  arm  in 
the  midst  of  thy  people.  Go  forth,  O  God,  not  in  judg- 
ment, but  for  salvation  ;  and  may  there  be  many  in  all 
the  churches  throughout  our  land  that  shall  be  awakened 
to  righteousness — many  that  shall  be  called  from*  dead 
works  and  darkness  into  the  marvelous  light  and  liberty 
of  the  sons  of  God.  Bless  the  truth  that  is  to  be  spoken 
to-day ;  strengthen  thy  servant  to  perform  the  duties 
that  are  allotted  to  him,  and  may  a  portion  be  dis- 
tributed to  every  one,  nor  fail  of  its  effect,  and  may  this 
be  a  day  of  blessing  among  us.  We  ask  these  things, 
not  that  we  are  worthy,  but  because  it  pleases  thee  to 
give.  We  ask  them  for  thine  own  name's  sake  ;  to  whom, 
with  the  Spirit,  shall  be  praise  everlasting.     Amen. 


CLOSING    PEAYER. 

Our  Heavenly  iPather,  -wilt  thou  grant  a  blessing  to  rest  on  the  word 
spoken.  We  thank  thee  for  the  gift  of  Christ  our  Saviour;  we  thank  theo 
for  the  declaration  of  his  love.  We  do  not  believe  because  the  word  of 
God  has  told  us;  now  we  believe  because  it  hath  been  shed  abroad  in  our 
souls.  Thou  hast  given  us  the  witness  of  the  apostles  and  holy  men  of 
old;  but  the  witness  of  thy  Spirit  is  better,  and  thou  hast  shed  it  abroad 
in  our  hearts.  We  know  thy  nature  of  love,  having  experienced  it  and 
being  changed  by  it.  Nor  can  we  forget  what  comfort  we  have  had ;  the 
hours  of  prayer,  the  hours  of  sweet  communion  through  thy  v/ord  with 
thee  personally — the  hours  of  meditation,  of  solace,  of  sickness  and  of 
trouble  made  bright.  Thou  that  shinest  into  the  storms  all  the  glory  of 
the  heavens,  and  makest  the  sun  turn  darkness  into  light,  thou  canst  also 
change  tlie  sources  of  sadness,  sorrow  and  sickness,  into  all  glorious 
things  ;  and  thou  dost.  We  are  witnesses  for  thee.  Thou  art  doing  in 
our  life  exceeding  abundantly,  more  than  we  asked  or  thought.  We 
bless  thy  name  that  this  world  is  but  the  earnest  of  that  to  come,  and  if 
this  is  that  which  is  done  afar  off,  0,  what  shall  be  the  revelation  and  the 
glory  of  thy  love  when  we  are  near  at  hand.  Even  so,  Lord  Jesus,  come 
quickly,  and  to  thy  name  shall  be  the  praise  forever.     Amen. 


THE  JOURNEY  OF  LIFE. 


Sabbath  Morning. 

INVOCATIOX. 

Be  pleased,  our  Father,  to  look  forth  from  the  fullness  of  thiue  own 
glory,  and  communicate  to  us  something  of  thy  life,  which  thou  hast  for 
thyself  and  for  all  thy  creatures.  Grant  that  we  may  know  thy  presence 
by  the  rising  in  us  of  that  faith,  that  hope,  and  all  those  affections  tliat  go 
forth  to  greet  thee.  And  we  ask  that  thou  wUt  give  us  a  comprehensive 
heart,  that  the  words  tliat  we  shall  read  from  thy  sacred  revelation  shall 
come  to  us  as  the  messages  of  God.  Grant  that  we  may  feel  the  need  of 
confession  and  worship,  and  that  we  may  unite  together,  and  be  blessed 
in  the  union  of  prayer  and  in  the  communion  of  song ;  and  may  the  word 
of  instruction  be  given  earnestly  and  received  heedfuUy,  and  may  all  tlie 
worship  which  we  offer,  and  the  instruction  which  we  seek,  and  the  joy 
which  we  desire,  and  every  experience  and  exercise  of  the  sanctuary  and 
of  the  whole  Sabbath  day  be  blessed  of  thee.  We  ask  it  for  Christ's  sake. 
Amen. 

BEFOEE   SERMON. 

"We  adore  tliee,  tliou  that  art  tlie  source  of  light — thou 
that  earnest  life  to  all  that  are.  Thou  art  great  in 
power,  unsearchable  in  wisdom,  and  infinite  in  all  the 
resources  of  thj  being.  We  can  not  by  searching  find 
thee  out,  or  understand  thee  to  perfection ;  but  what  we 
know  inspires  in  us  reverence  and  love  and  joy.  With 
our  hearts  we  prostrate  ourselves  before  thee,  glad  to 
know  that  we  are  of  thee  and  going  to  thee ;  that  our 


life  is  watched ;  that  thou  seest  the  end  from  the  begin- 
ning, and  through  endless  diversities  art  di^awing  us 
each  to  our  final  estate  of  glory.     Thou  art  the  author 


118  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

and  the  finisher  of  our  faith ;  and  when  things  around 
about  ns  are  insecure,  thou  art  the  tower  of  our  strength. 
When  all  other  things  seem  to  fail,  thou  never  failest — 
the  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  forever,  without  variable- 
ness or  shadow  of  turning. 

We  rejoice,  O  God,  that  thou  hast  made  such  com- 
munications of  thy  thoughts  and  feelings  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Saviour.  He  is  the  bread  of  our  life.  We 
are  strong  in  thee,  that  are  weak  in  ourselves ;  and  are 
able  to  walk  where  but  for  the  knowledge  that  thou  hast 
given  us,  we  should  crouch  down  under  trouble.  We 
are  able  to  stand,  and  having  done  all  to  stand  against 
everv  assault  in  the  midst  of  battle.  In  thick-coming: 
dangers,  both  present  and  future,  thou  hast  taught  us  to 
sit  securely,  to  sing,  to  rejoice  in  thee;  and  in  the  midst 
of  our  adversaries  to  count  it  all  joy  when  we  fall  into 
trials ;  to  rejoice  in  weakness,  in  infirmities,  and  afflic- 
tions for  Christ's  sake ;  to  rejoice  in  persecutions,  aye,  to 
hail  death  itself,  and  to  go  gladly  toward  it  as  the  gate 
of  deliverance. 

Thou  hast  taught  us,  O  Lord  God,  to  despise  the 
things  that  are  in  this  life,  except  as  things  to  be  used 
by  the  wayside ;  therein  thou  hast  taught  us  to  abound 
in  joy  in  the  gifts  of  God,  but  thou  hast  taught  us  to  lay 
them  down  even  as  we  took  them  up.  As  strangers  and 
pilgrims  our  city  of  habitation  is  not  here ;  the  houses 
which  we  build  are  but  for  the  hour;  the  city,  whose 
builder  and  maker  is  God,  shines  everlastingly ;  and 
those  mansions,  not  made  with  hands  but  eternal  in  the 
heavens,  are  our  home.  Thitherward  we  flock  in  com- 
panies and  in  families — thither  each  is  tending.  And 
we  rejoice  that  thou  art  sending  forth  messages  to  us  by 
the  hour;   that  we  are  remembered,  and  that  we  are 


THE    JOUEXEY    OF   LIFE,  119 

secured.  We  rejoice  that  tliou  dost  teacli  us  to  believe, 
that  all  the  events  which  are  every  day  environing  us 
are  vratched  of  God,  permitted  or  sent,  and  that  all 
things  work  together  for  the  good  of  them  that  love  thee. 

ISTow,  O  Lord  Jesus,  we  beseech  thee  that  we  may  bo 
held  up  in  this  faith,  and  that  we  may  bear  it  about 
even  as  our  very  raiment,  to  cover  our  nakedness.  What 
are  we  when  we  stand  in  the  flesh,  and  only  in  the  things 
that  this  world  can  give  ?  What  are  we  when  we  are  in 
the  midst  of  the  best  estate  of  life,  without  the  sunlight 
of  thy  countenance  ?  Tliou  dost  by  thy  grace  give  light 
to  us ;  and  though  we  are  consumed  and  the  outward 
man  perishes,  the  inward  man  is  renewed  day  by  day. 
We  desire  that  thou  wilt  continue  that  work  which  thou 
hast  begun  ; — that  influence  which  thou  hast  already 
breathed  upon  us,  let  it  still  work  for  us  and  in  us. 

Help  us  to  watch  against  easily  besetting  sins ;  to  put 
away  every  thing  that  separates  between  us  and  thee, 
and  limit  and  measure  our  expectations  by  the  rule  thou 
hast  given  us — help  us  to  set  before  us  evermore  the  cross 
of  Christ  on  earth  and  Christ  himself  ever  living  in 
heaven,  and  from  day  to  day  may  our  treasures  be  there 
and  our  heart  be  there  also.  May  we  set  our  aftections 
upon  things  above,  where  Christ  sitteth.  And  grant,  we 
pray  thee,  as  thou  art  making  that  land  both  nearer  to 
us  by  every  year  that  we  live,  and  clearer  to  us  by  all 
those  that  thou  art  taking  from  us  and  to  whom  we 
stretch  our  vision — grant  that  it  may  become  more  in- 
fluential upon  us ;  that  we  may  live  by  faith  of  the 
invisible  more,  and  by  the  power  of  the  senses  less. 

Grant  this  morning,  to  every  one  in  thy  presence,  the 
appropriate  mercy  which  they  need.  How  many  have 
come  up  hither,  as  it  were  to  ask  life  of  thee !     How 


1-0  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

many  burdened  ones  !  And  if  thon  dost  not  strengthen 
them,  they  v/ill  fall.  How  many  that  are  hnngrj^ ! 
Thou,  O  God,  only  canst  feed  them.  How  many  sor- 
rowing and  believing  ones  !  The  presence  of  thy  heart 
can  heal  their  wounds,  and  nothing  else  can.  How 
many  that  are  in  trouble  of  sin,  and  are  unable  to  deliver 
themselves  from  the  coil  of  the  serpent,  but  thou  canst — - 
for  thou,  blessed  Jesus,  hast  triumphed  over  the  serpent, 
and  bruised  his  hesid,  and  can  teach  us  to  do  the  same. 
How  many  tempted,  and  driven  of  temptation,  as  ships 
by  violent  winds !  How  many  that  have  aspirations  upon 
which  fall  mists  and  clouds  !  How  many  that  are  strug- 
gling at  times  for  good,  only  to  furnish  to  themselves  the 
standard  of  right  by  which  to  rebuke  their  uses  of  life 
and  of  daily  business  !  How  many  are  there  in  thy  pres- 
ence, that  see  enough  of  thee  and  of  duty,  to  feel  that 
their  life  is  painful  and  their  character  void ! 

And  now,  O  thou  Blessed  One,  we  beseech  of  thee,  that 
givest  to  every  thing  in  the  earth,  outwardly  of  its  kind, 
the  food  appropriate ;  thou  that  art  sending,  in  the  uni- 
versal sun,  in  showers,  and  in  all  the  genial  influences  of 
the  soil,  the  appropriate  nourishment  to  things  that  grow 
before  thee,  wilt  thou  not  give  to  us  that  sunlight,  that 
descent  of  heavenly  dew,  that  blessed  and  genial  influ- 
ence and  soul-food  that  we  severally  need  ?  Are  we  less 
loved  than  these  outward  things,  and  less  cared  for  ?  Art 
thou  not  the  Creator  of  the  outward  world,  but  the 
Father  of  our  spirits  ?  We  come  to  thee  this  morning 
in  our  own  behalf,  and  in  behalf  of  every  one  in  thy  pres- 
ence that  needs  prayer  and  divine  help,  beseeching  that 
thou  wouldst  do  to  each  the  things  that  they  severally 
need.  Raise  up  the  fallen,  strengthen  the  weak,  and 
comfort  the  comfortless. 


THE   JOURNEY   OF   LIFE.  121 

Wilt  thou,  O  Lord  God,  teach  us  to  shed  tears  no 
more,  or  to  weep  with  profit  of  soul.  Make  us  to  feel 
that  this  world  is  not  our  home,  and  may  we  be  glad  in 
the  recognition  of  it.  Make  us  to  feel  that  the  heavenly 
spirit-land  is  our  home,  and  may  we  have,  by  thought  at 
least,  introduction  there,  that  it  may  become  real  to  us, 
that  it  may  be  dear,  and  by  foretaste  compensate  the 
burden  and  the  trouble  of  the  way. 

O  Lord  Grod,  draw  every  one  in  thy  presence  to  thee  as 
the  source  of  life  and  of  health.  May  we  cast  ourselves 
upon  thee,  may  we  feel  that  thy  guiding  and  loving  care, 
thy  forgiveness,  thy  grace,  thy  culture,  shall  be  our  hope 
and  our  salvation ;  and  so  may  we  rest  in  thee,  and  trust- 
ing may  we  see  springing  up  in  us  the  fruit  of  love,  and 
of  those  good  works  which  otherwise  we  could  never  per- 
form. 

Grant,  we  pray  thee,  a  blessing  to  rest  upon  all  the 
congregations  that  gather  together  in  the  city  at  this 
time.  Bless  the  pastors  of  the  various  churches,  and  the 
office  bearers,  all  the  members  of  the  churches  and  con- 
gregations, and  families  that  are  grouped  round  about 
these  several  centers,  and  grant  that  there  may  arise 
from  all  worshiping  assemblies  grateful  incense  to  thee, 
and  may  this  city  be  greatly  blest  by  the  example  and 
active  influence  of  thy  servants.  May  we  have  officers 
and  magistrates  that  shall  fear  God  and  be  jast  to  men. 

Purify  our  laws  and  institutions,  and  establish  this  city 
in  righteousness.  Grant  that  all  our  land  may  come  up 
in  remembrance  before  thee.  Inspire  those  struggles 
that  are  needful  for  the  supremacy  of  good  over  evil ;  and 
in  the  struggle,  wilt  thou  be  found  directing  the  courses 
of  thought  and  intention,  and  give  final  victory  to  justice, 
to  liberty,  to  purity,  and  truth.      May  we  behold  the 


122  beecheb's  pulpit  devotions. 

advance  of  Christ,  not  in  his  visible  form,  but  in  bis 
second  coming,  when  be  sball  appear,  and  all  mankind 
sball  stand  in  tbe  restored  image  of  God.  Grant,  we 
pray  tbee,  tbat  all  tbese  things  may  work  out  this  final 
consummation,  and  that  the  glory  of  tbe  Lord  may  fill 
tbe  earth,  as  tbe  waters  fill  tbe  sea — which  mercies  we 
ask  in  the  name  of  the  ever  beloved,  to  whom,  with  the 
Father  and  Spirit,  sball  be  praises  unceasing.     Amen. 


THE    BATTLE   OF  LIFE. 


An  Evening  Prayer. 

OuE  heavenly  Father,  we  rejoice  that  we  are  not  any 
longer  left  to  the  interpretations  of  thee  by  fear,  neither 
art  thou  made  known  to  ns  by  the  interpretations  of 
conscience.  Thou  hast  taught  us  that  thou  canst  be 
known  only  by  the  interpretations  of  love.  Thou 
hast  set  forth  thyself  in  our  Saviour  Christ,  and 
thou  hast  taught  us  what  was  the  love  of  God  in  that 
which  inspired  him  to  bear  and  to  do;  and  we  are 
taught  to  come  to  thee  through  him,  as  children  come 
to  parents,  and  all  the  bands  and  cords  which  draw  us 
are  affection.  Thou  art  no  longer  lifted  up  in  the  im- 
mensity of  the  eternal  world,  explored  by  our  trembling- 
fears  and  looked  for  by  our  mortal  apprehensions — thou 
art  brought  very  near  to  us,  yea  thou  dost  dwell  within 
us,  and  we  learn  of  our  own  experiences  to  understand 
thee — though  we  are  so  poor  in  excellence,  though  we 
are  so  much  stained  with  sin,  yet  thou  hast  been  pleased 
to  bear  witness  in  us  to  the  truths  of  thy  word  :  Now  we 
rejoice  in  the  fullness  of  thy  nature,  in  the  majesty  and 
the  power  of  divine  goodness.  We  marvel  at  all  the 
exercises  and  magnanimities  of  thy  love,  and  learn  to 
behold  thy  grandeur  more  there  than  in  the  outsti'etch- 
ing  of  thine  hand,  in  the  turning  of  the  earth,  or  in  the 
sweeping  through  the  heavens  of  all  its  host.     Thou  art 


121  beechek's  pulpit  devotioks. 

God  in  these  outward  things ;  thou  art  in  thine  omnipo- 
tence and  omnipresence  Divine,  but  within  only  dost  thou 
bi^iUg  us  to  bow  before  thee— when  we  look  within  and 
see  what  is  the  royalty  and  nature  of  love  in  God — 
thy  mercy,  thy  gentleness,  thy  compassion,  thy  good- 
ness. 

We  beseech  thee  that  we  may  take  heed  of  thee,  that 
we  may  become  like  unto  thee;  for  the  law  of  selfish- 
ness works  mightily  within  us  and  against  our  better 
knowledge — against  our  daily  resolutions,  and  against  our 
wishes  even.  It  strives  witliin  us,  overmastering  often 
and  subduing  us.  We  desire  to  be  led  out  from  its  bond- 
age ;  we  desire  to  come  into  the  large  element  of  true 
love,  to  become  like  God — to  dwell  among  our  fellow- 
men  with  constant  benefactions  and  endless  sympathies, 
and  to  make  our  way  through  life  by  doing  favors,  to 
walk  as  thou  dost  walk,  going  about  and  doing  good 
for  evermore. 

Wilt  thou  help  every  one  of  us  in  this  strife  which  we 
bear ;  in  all  the  experiences  wliich  fall  out  by  the  way. 
Thou  art  teaching  us  by  our  outward  avocations ;  thou 
art  teaching  us  by  our  social  experiences ;  thou  art  giving 
or  taking  away;  thou  art  putting  burdens  upon  us  or 
giving  us  release  from  trouble  ;  thou  art  teaching  us  on 
every  side  with  motive,  and  persuasion,  and  influence. 

May  we  have  sight  given  to  behold  the  hand  of  God 
in  all  these  earthly  experiences,  to  know  what  is  the 
meaning  and  purpose  of  care  and  sorrow,  to  know  what 
it  means  to  be  thwarted  and  turned  aside  from  cherished 
purposes — to  have  our  pride  humbled  and  our  vanity 
put  to  shame,  to  be  made  to  pine  and  long  for  things 
not  reached.  May  we  understand  the  mystery  of  thy 
providences,  and   seek  to  co-oj)erate  with  them  in  the 


THE   BATTLE    OF   LIFE.  125 

evolution  of  all  those  liigher  and  nobler  states,  wliicli 
should  characterize  thine  own  j)eople. 

E^ow  thou  knowest  what  is  the  battle  with  each  one ; 
and  we  beseech  of  thee  that  thou  wilt  help  every  one  to 
gain  victories  in  his  own  place  and  over  his  own  disposi- 
tion. May  we  not  be  weary  in  well-doing;  may  none 
of  us  ^feel  as  though  it  were  too  long  and  continued  a 
strife,  too  hard  to  bear.  May  we  set  before  us  evermore 
the  vision  of  that  rest  which  remaineth  for  the  people  of 
God.  May  we  set  before  thee  thine  own  image,  calmly 
beholding  us,  and  forever  looking  forth  upon  the  strife  of 
life,  not  indifferent  to  its  least  act ;  and  may  we  live  as 
seeing  thee  who  art  invisible,  moving  as  before  these 
eternal  truths,  and  taking  heart ;  and  may  we  more  and 
more  manfully  contest  every  day  the  battle  of  life  unto 
the  end  of  it. 

Let  us  not  be  content  with  our  own  individual  good. 
May  we  seek  on  every  side  to  draw  others  with  us  to 
those  that  are  linked  to  us  by  the  chains  of  sympathy 
and  affection,  and  those  w^ho  are  bound  to  us  by  the 
more  intimate  connections ;  our  kindred,  that  carry  our 
blood  and  life  with  them. 

May  we  more  and  more  feel  what  are  the  obliga- 
tions resting  upon  us  toward  those  that  are  bound  to  us. 
May  life  become  more  real,  obligations  more  binding, 
and  kindness  and  love  more  sacred.  May  there  be  more 
and  more  of  God  in  human  affairs  ;  may  our  daily  experi- 
ences become  more  and  more  simple  to  our  apprehen- 
sion ;  and  so  may  we  walk,  never  forsaken  of  thee,  never 
forsaken  of  duty,  never  seemingly  far  off  from  heaven — 
never  so  far  but  that  we  can  hear  its  sweet  sounds  and 
feel  its  blessed  influences:  and  when  the  end  of  life  shall 
come,  may  we  find  that  it  is  not  an  end  but  a  beginning ; 


128  BEECIIER  S    PULPIT   DEVOTIOXS. 

may  we  find  that  we  pass  from  glory  to  glory — from 
the  veiled  and  shadowy  glory  of  this  sphere,  to  the  un- 
veiled and  real  glory  of  that  eternal  sphere.  And  we 
will  give  the  praise  of  our  salvation  to  the  Father,  Son, 
and  Holy  Spirit.     Amen. 


SANCTIFIED  KNOWLEDGE  OF   GOD. 


Sabbath  Morning. 

INVOCATION. 

Grant  unto  us,  our  heavenly  Father,  this  morning,  access  to  tliee  with 
all  joyfulness.  Thou  dost  not  bar  thyself  from  our  approach,  but  thou 
lovest  to  havo  us  run  unto  thee,  even  as  parents  do  their  children.  We 
ask  that  we  may  have  that  needed  help,  that  divine  brooding  by  which 
our  understanding  shall  be  cleared  and  lifted  up— that  teaching  by  which 
we  shall  receive  power  in  all  our  spiritual  parts.  Inspire  us  to  love,  and 
through  love  to  do  all  things.  May  the  reading  of  thy  word  be  sweet  to 
us,  and  may  it  l3€  as  the  eating  of  fruit  from  the  tree  of  life.  May  speak- 
ing from  it  not  be  void  and  empty,  but  full  of  profit.  We  pray  that  we 
may  know  Jww  to  pray.  Grant  us  also  those  joyful  affections  that  shall 
overflow  in  songs  before  thee;  and  may  we  never  sing  together  without 
the  dawn  and  vision  of  that  blessed  realm,  where  joys  for  evermore  indite 
and  roll  themselves  forth  in  psalms  and  hymns.  So  may  even  the  earthly 
sanctuary  be  a  suggestion  and  a  foretaste  of  our  heavenly  rest  We  ask 
it  for  Christ's  sake.     Amen. 

BEFORE   SERMON. 

We  adore  thee,  O  tliou  tliat  art  lifted  up  above  all  the 
earth  and  above  the  heavens,  infinite  in  power,  in  wis- 
dom, hi  goodness,  transcending  all  our  experience  or 
conception.  We  rejoice  that  thon  art  perfect,  though 
we  know  not  what  the  fullness  of  that  word  means.  All 
our  thoughts  of  thee  are  filled  with  wonder.  As  fast  as 
we  learn,  we  admire  and  marvel;  and  that  we  shall 
never  know  by  searching,  nor  complete  our  finding  out, 
is  a  source  of  peace  and  jov  to  us,  giving  yet  higher  con- 


128  beecher's  pulpit  devotioxs. 

ceptions  of  wliat  is  thy  being  and   tlie   riches  of  thy 
nature. 

We  desire  to  accept  thee  as  then  art  revealed  to  iis  iu 
the  light  of  nature ;  and  we  thank  thee  that  now  we  can 
avail  ourselves  of  that  revelation,  since  thou  hast  given 
us  its  commentary  and  interi)retation  in  thy  word.  We 
beseech  of  thee  that  thou  wilt  teach  us  the  divine  lesson 
how  to  bear  forth  the  light  of  scripture  upon  the  world 
itself,  until  we  shall  have  affixed  to  every  part  of  it,  and 
all  its  familiar  faces,  the  teaching  of  God — till  we  know 
how  to  discern  thee  in  thy  standing  works,  and  till  we 
find  ourselves  walking  in  the  midst  of  a  Bible  that  is 
never  shut,  whose  revelations  are  perpetually  sounding 
and  reporting  themselves.  Deliver  us  from  the  tempta- 
tions which  surround  us  to  see  only  laws  in  nature.  May 
we  feel  thine  heart  throbbing  throughout  the  world ;  may 
we  believe  that  thou  art  present,  not  merely  as  an  intel- 
ligence and  as  a  power,  but  in  sympathy  as  a  living 
being ;  may  we  walk  with  God,  finding  it  impossible  to 
be  alone,  having  company  for  evermore  wherever  we  are. 
And  grant  that  it  may  not  be  merely  for  the  lifting  up 
of  our  understanding,  not  for  our  enjoyment,  nor  for  the 
refinement  of  our  taste,  that  we  grow  in  the  knowledge 
of  Jesus  and  of  God  the  Father ;  but  may  we  also  find 
that  this  knowled2:e  of  thee  is  makino-  us  like  thee  in  all 
truth  and  the  love  of  truth ;  in  justice  and  the  love  of 
justice ;  in  benevolence  and  in  all  its  controlling  forms 
and  influences.  We  beseech  thee  that  we  may  thus 
become  like  unto  thee ;  and  by  this  likeness  have  this 
interpretation  of  God  in  our  own  experience. 

But  when  we  endeavor  thus  to  learn,  how  are  we 
beset  with  constant  selfishness ;  with  ever  domineering 
pride,  with  intrusive  passions,  with  all  manner  of  inquisi- 


SANCTIFIED   KNOWLEDGE    OF   GOD.  129 

tive  evil !  It  is  impossible  for  us  to  look  and  see  the 
reflection  of  thj  face  in  onr  own  hearts,  for  they  do  not 
lie  still  like  tranquil  lakes  to  reflect  the  stars  above 
.  them;  but  are  for  evermore  agitated  bj  winds  that  play 
upon  them  and  break  up  the  reflection  and  cast  noth- 
ing back  to  us.  O  give  us  that  purity  of  heart  by 
which  we  may  see  God.  Give  us  that  peace  by  which 
we  may  be  able  to  reflect  thee  from  untroubled  aflec- 
tions. 

"We  pray,  O  God,  that  thou  wilt  teach  us  how  to  find 
every  day  occasion  of  grace.     Teach  us  every  day  how  to 
find   our  life  in  the  things  that  are  known  to  us  and 
which  thou  art  puttiug  into  our  hand.     May  we  cease 
to  look  upon  things  under  the  ill-named  forms  of  trial, 
care,   trouble,  and   sorrow;   may  we  look   upon   those 
things  as  so  many  teachings  of  God  and  so  many  lessons 
to  be  learned.     May  we  be  more  brave  of  heart ;  may 
we  be  more  brave  in  our  affections.     Take  away  from  us 
all  effeminacy  of  taste  and  all  effeminacy  of  love,  and 
all  things  that  shall  make  us  shrink  from  the  battles  of 
life  or  from  any  of  its  experiences.     Give  us  that  robust- 
ness, that  strength,  that  patience,  and  that  endurance,  by 
which  we  shall  be  able  to   carry  our  daily  experience 
wdth  great  cheerfulness  and   gladness.     May  we   know 
how  to  be  content  with  such  things  as  we  have ;  may 
our  conversation  not  be  with  covetousness,  nor  anxiety, 
but  may  we  walk  as  children  of  God,  surely  beloved  • 
walk  as  in  thy  presence,  and  live  as  seeing  thee  who  art 
invisible;  and  may  we  understand   the   reason  of  thy 
providence  in  so  far  as  it  is  necessary  for  our  faith.     May 
we  know  that  thou  dost  not  willingly  afilict  nor  grieve 
the  children  of  men.     May  we  endeavor  to  take  all  thy 
providences,  according  to  this  intent ;  segk  everv  day  to 


130        '  beecher's  ruLPiT  devotions. 

submit  ourselves  before  tlie  mighty  band  of  God,  and  to 
bumble  ourselves  thereby. 

We  pray  that  thou  wilt  help  those  in  thy  presence 
tliat  are  striving  against  their  easily  besetting  sins.  Do 
thou,  O  God,  by  thy  grace,  stir  us  up  with  new  tJioughts 
of  duty,  with  new  desires  of  holiness.  We  understand 
better  than  we  practice ;  we  discern  what  vv^e  should  be, 
but,  alas !  we  are  as  men  that  perceive  fruits  upon  the 
further  shore,  while  the  storm  rolls  deep  and  threatening 
between  them,  and  they  can  not  cross  over :  and  we  see 
where  excellencies  are,  but,  alas !  the  passions  which  we 
can  not  ford.  O  Lord,  grant  unto  us,  not  only  the  power 
of  discernment,  but  the  power  also  that  will  enable  us  to 
overcome.  May  we  know  how  to  fulfill  the  duties  that 
are  put  successively  upon  us ;  know  how  to  avail  our- 
selves of  thy  strength,  to  abide  in  thee,  and  to  have  thee 
abide  with  us,  that  we  may  bear  witness  that  we  can  do 
all  things,  Christ  strengthening  us ;  for  our  experience 
now  is  more  that  without  thee  we  can  do  nothing.  We 
pray  thee  that  thus  our  life  may  be  so  joined  to  tliee,  that 
we  shall  come  to  feel  that  we  are  branches,  thou  the  trunk ; 
and  that  the  fruit  of  goodness  in  us  is  of  thee;  and  may 
we  thus  glorify  God  by  bearing  much  fruit.  Deliver  us 
from  the  temptations  which  easily  environ  us,  and  vv^hich 
spring  out  of  the  peculiar  circumstances  in  which  by  thy 
providence  thou  hast  placed  us.  Grant  that  every  one 
of  us  may  gird  up  his  loins,  and  with  all  diligence,  with 
all  fidelity,  and  with  all  truth  and  justice,  we  may  walk 
exemplifying  the  spirit  of  Christ,  and  blessing  thee  by 
onr  holv  obedience.  And  in  those  thino;s  where  we  are 
less  instructed,  may  we  have  the  illumination  of  thy  Spirit, 
that  we  may  learn  more  and  more,  and  practice  what  we 
learn. 


SANCTIFIED   KNOWLEDGE    OF    GOD.  131 

We  beseech  thee  that  thou  wilt  bless  our  dear  friends  ; 
and  remember  our  parents,  remember  our  brothers,  our 
sisters ;  remember  their  households ;  remember  all  our 
connections,  and  all  with  whom  we  have  had  sweet  friend- 
ship and  fellowship  in  life.  Eemember  all  that  have 
shov/n  us  kindness  or  service  of  any  kind ;  may  we 
never  forget  to  be  grateful.  We  beseech  thee  that 
thou  wilt  remember  those  that  have  shown  us  ill-will, 
those  that  are  our  enemies;  and  if  they  are  justified 
somewhat  in  our  misconduct,  may  we  repent  for  our  own 
sakes  and  for  theirs;  and  may  we  carry  a  mind  above 
all  animosity.  May  we  love  even  our  enemies,  and  may 
we  seek  to  do  them  good.  May  that  mind  be  in  us 
which  was  also  in  Christ  Jesus  ;  and  so  may  we  be 
perfect  as  God  is  perfect — not  by  mere  yearnings,  not  by 
mere  conceptions  of  superior  bliss  and  holiness,  but  may 
we  seek  perfection  in  these  lovvcr  ranges  by  the  subjec- 
tion of  our  pride  and  intemperance,  and  by  crucifying  all 
those  things  that  wound  and  offend  love. 

Eemember  those  that  are  young.  Grant,  we  beseech 
thee,  a  prosperous  voyage  to  every  one  of  them  toward 
manhood.  We  pray  that  they  may  not  be  cast  away, 
nor  sink,  nor  be  misled,  nor  captured  by  piratical  pas- 
sion. Deliver  them  from  the  evil  which  is  in  the  world. 
May  they  be  shielded  in  the  household;  may  they  be 
shielded  in  their  own  souls  by  the  workings  of  thy  Spirit, 
and  by  the  teaching  of  those  that  are  endeavoring  to  rear 
their  children  for  God  and  for  the  benefit  of  the  world. 
May  their  faith  never  fail,  nor  their  fidelity  cease.  May 
they  see  their  children  grow  up  full  of  honor,  and  mighty, 
their  own  joy  and  the  comfort  of  the  world. 

Eemember  those  that  are  occupied  in  teaching  on 
every  side,  day  by  day   or  from  Sabbath  to  Sabbath; 


132  eeecuer's  pitlpit  devotiong 

grant  that  they  may  be  filled  with  a  sense  of  the  great- 
ness of  the  work  which  they  perform  ;  may  they  know 
that  those  that  work  at  the  foundation  must  needs  work 
beneath  the  ground,  and  that  they  are  inconspicuous; 
and  that  while  it  requires  great  laboriousness,  great  pa- 
tience, and  great  self-denial,  it  reaps  in  this  world  less 
fruit  of  praise  than  any  other  w^ork.  Yet  may  there  be 
sacred  and  divine  joy  in  the  thought  that  that  which  man 
may  not  know  nor  appreciate,  is  known  of  God,  and  will 
never  be  forgotten  ;  and  may  they  have  the  abiding  faith 
that  they  are  going  toward  their  reward.  The  crown  of 
praise  and  rejoicing  shall  be  theirs ;  and  may  they,  there- 
fore, be  patient,  vigilant,  and  faithful,  filled  with  the 
spirit  of  Christ. 

Bless  all  for  whom  we  should  pray.  Remember  those 
that  preach  the  Gospel  of  Christ  to-day  ;  remember  those 
churches  that  are  gathered  on  every  side  of  us,  and  fill 
the  houses  of  thy  people  with  joy  and  with  peace.  We 
pray  that  thy  children  of  every  name  may  be  united  in 
the  bonds  of  a  more  perfect  and  patient  love ;  may  of- 
fenses and  divisions  be  taken  away,  and  may  tliat  charity 
prevail  which  is  yet  to  unite  all  the  discordant  elements 
of  the  world. 

O  Lord,  we  beseech  of  thee  that  thou  wilt  in  thine  ov/n 
infinite  wisdom  make  haste  and  cut  short  the  days  which 
must  come,  and  from  which  the  world  can  not  shrink — the 
baptism  of  blood  and  of  fire.  O  let  it  take  place  speedily, 
that  the  end  may  begin  to  dawn ;  that  when  nations  have 
been  wrecked  by  war,  and  consumed  enough  by  desola- 
tions, they  may  learn  the  things  that  shall  make  for 
peace — let  it  be  known  at  last  that  a  true  love,  standing 
upon  a  true  justice,  shall  give  peace  and  happiness  the 
world  throughout.     We  ask  of  thee  that  we  may  learn  it 


SANCTIFIED    KNOWLEDGE    OF    GOD.  133 

ourselves  at  home,  and  that  we  may  not  lay  up  for  our- 
selves food  for  intestine  interpellations  and  mischiefs  by 
and  by.  May  we  know  that  there  is  not  in  the  strength 
of  the  right  hand,  in  all  the  munitions  of  war,  in  all  pro- 
visions of  law,  or  in  properties  of  every  kind,  either  safety 
or  salvation  to  that  people  that  have  forfeited  justice  and 
humanity.  May  we  know  that  a  nation  is  but  an  empty 
carcass,  out  of  which  these  divine  qualities  have  gone ; 
and  may  this  people,  that  is  outwardly  and  nominally 
Cliristian  at  least,  learn  to  see  this — even  thy  church,  O 
Lord  Jesus.  Teach  thy  church  that  it  is  a  Christian  duty 
to  love  and  to  be  just,  and  for  these  to  sacrifice  every 
thing  else  on  the  earth.  Thou  needest  to  die  again  ; 
thou  art  dying  and  crucified  afresh  in  thine  ov/n 
churches.  Lord,  rise  again,  and  bring  forth  salvation 
in  all  our  lands  and  among  all  thine  own  people ;  and 
grant  that  the  light  and  the  glory  of  the  Gospel  may 
shine  forth — not  alone  in  letter  and  exposition,  multi- 
plied and  iterated,  but  grant  that  there  may  be  this 
inspired  Gospel  in  the  lives  of  thy  people,  in  all  law, 
custom,  and  usage — in  things  public  and  in  things 
private  may  the  Spirit  of  Christ  be  breathed  forth ;  and 
so  may  thy  Gospel  spread  till  the  earth  is  filled  with  thy 
glory ;  and  to  thy  name  shall  be  the  praise,  Father,  Son, 
and  Spirit.     Amen. 


CLOSING    PRATER. 

Our  Father,  wilt  tliou  bless  the  word  which  we  have  spoken.  Grant 
that  it  may  be  an  incitement  to  our  motives.  May  we  measure  the  ways 
of  men,  the  ways  of  this  nation,  and  our  own  ways,  not  by  human  opinions, 
but  by  sympathy  with  tliy  revealed  truth.  AVe  thank  thee  that  thou  hast 
called  so  many  back  from  the  way  in  which  they  were  wandering,  and 
that  thou  art  awakening  again  the  dormant  sympathies  of  man  for  man. 
"We  pray  that  thou  wilt  kindle  to  a  glowing  flame  that  which  is  but  a 
spark  now ;  that  thou  wilt  give  to  all  thy  churches  and  to  every  heart  a 
glowing  love  until  summer,  from  out  of  the  midst  of  thy  people,  shall 
bloom  again. 

Wilt  thou,  0  God,  bless  the  remaining  hours  of  this  day.  We  walk 
With,  thee  ;  we  would  walk  with  thee  when  thou  smitest  us,  and  we  would 
walk  with  thea  when  thou  smilest  upon  us;  for,  smiling  or  smiting,  it  is 
in  love.  We  take  chastisement  because  we  are  sons,  and  thou  art  Father. 
0  grant  that  we  may  never  need  to  feel  thy  hand  as  Judge.  Restrain  us 
with  thy  love.  Weam  us  from  our  sin,  and  from  the  love  of  it,  and  bring 
us  back  to  thine  own  self.     We  ask  it  for  Christ's  sake.     Amen. 


PASSING  FROM  DEATH  TO   LIFE. 


Sahlath  Morning. 


IXYOCATION. 


Because  thou  hast  spared  us,  because  thou  liast  drawn  us  hither  by  the 
sweet  attraction  of  thy  lore,  we  are  before  thee  in  this  place,  0  Lord  our 
God  ;  and  we  desire  now  to  remember  thy  presence.  And  as  they,  that  turn 
their  faces  to  the  sun,  glow  with  the  light  thereof,  and  shine ;  so  grant 
that  there  may  fall  upon  us  the  effulgence  of  God,  and  that  we  may  stand 
thus  in  the  beauty  of  holiness.  Cause  thy  word  to  be  touched  by  the 
divine  power,  that  out  of  the  deadness  of  its  letter,  Christ  may  come  fortli ; 
even  as  from  the  death  sepulcher,  upon  this  blessed  morning,  ho  came  into 
life.  Release  us  from  the  bondage  and  the  tyranny  of  care;  release  us 
from  the  despotism  of  fear;  release  us  from  all  sordid  influences.  May 
we  feel  our  better  life  rising  up  to-day  within  us,  and  holding  communion 
with  God.  May  we  mingle  our  voices  together  in  singing  in  the  sweet 
fellowship  of  hymns  and  psalms;  may  we  chant  forth  tliy  praises;  may 
thy  word  be  spoken  unto  edification,  and  may  all  the  services  of  the  sanc- 
tuary and  the  experiences  of' our  homes  on  this  day  be  for  our  souls' 
benefit  and  thy  glory.     \se  ask  it  for  Christ's  sake.     Amen. 

BEFORE    SERMON". 

We  tliank  thee  that  we  are  not  left,  our  heavenly 
Father,  to  find  our  way  unto  thee  alone ;  we  are  borne 
up  as  upon  clouds  of  remembrances.  All  the  past  of  our 
lives,  if  we  but  understood  its  sacred  teaching,  would  bs 
a  revelation  of  the  goodness  and  the  patience  of  God 
toward  us.  We  have  walked  in  blindness,  and  as  men 
walk  ifpon  the  earth  that  thou  hast  made,  and  do  not 
understand  it,  and  behold  all  the  fair  things  which  thou 


136  beecher's  pulpit  devotioxs. 

liast  formed  and  scarcely  note  them.  As  tliere  are  those  to 
whom  the  heavens  speak  no  lessons  and  the  earth  recites 
no  history  of  God,  so  we  have  been  in  respect  to  the 
events  of  onr  own  personal  lives  and  the  most  memora- 
ble things  thou  hast  done  in  us  and  upon  us.  We  are 
surrounded  with  God,  whose  hand  has  been  upon  us  from 
our  cradle  upward,  and  yet  such  brute  creatures  are  we, 
so  stupefied  with  conceit,  so  foolish  for  the  pleasure  of 
the  senses,  the  running  after  that  v/hich  men  vainly  call 
wisdom — that  we  have  not  regarded  these  wonderful 
providences,  the  care,  the  love,  the  forethought,  the 
grace,  the  mercies  of  our  God.  But  thou  hast  been 
pleased  to  enlighten  our  minds,  to  touch  us  with  the  feel- 
ing of  love,  and  to  bring  us  into  such  personal  union 
with  Christ  that  his  life  is  now  breathed  upon  us.  We 
are  beginning  to  live,  although  yet  we  are  but  children. 
Would  that  we  were  more  children  in  our  faith  and 
love ! 

We  thank  thee  that  thou  hast  begun  this,  giving  us 
birth  again  as  it  were,  starting  us  fresh  in  life,  to  inter- 
pret to  us  our  own  nature,  to  interpret  the  ways  of  God 
to  man.  The  earth  is  a  book,  and  every  day  a  turned 
leaf  therein ;  and  our  own  selves  are  marvelous  histories, 
all  of  them  illustrating  thy  care,  thy  love,  tliy  tender 
mercy,  thy  paternal  goodness ;  and  when  at  times  all  the 
thought  of  God  comes  upon  us,  when  we  stand,  upon 
some  bright  Sabbath  day  like  this,  to  worship  thee  in 
thine  house,  and  we  look  back  and  think  of  the  days 
gone  by  and  the  joys  that  have  garlanded  them  and  the 
mercies  that  we  recognize,  when  the  multitude  of  thy 
thouo;hts  toward  us  come  to  us  amid  all  the  experiences 
of  our  lives  together,  in  this  sanctuary,  and  in  ouu  sweet, 
social  converse  of  Christ — our  hearts  are  overwhelmed 


PASSING   FROM   DEATH   TO    LIFE.  137 

"with  a  sense  of  thy  goodness  ;  and  we  know  that  there  is 
more  forgotten  than  remembered,  more  unnoticed  at  the 
time  than  that  which  we  recognize.  We  know  thou  hast 
always  been  he  who  doth  exceeding  abundantly  more 
than  we  ask  or  think.  We  are  surrounded  by  the 
memorials  and  memories  and  testimonies  of  thy  goodness 
to  us. 

And  now,  our  Father,  what  can  we  say  to  thee? 
What  utterance  of  thanks  can  seem  other  than  foolish 
by  the  side  of  such  mercies  ?  We  are  made  dumb  by 
the  sense  of  thy  goodness.  Our  hearts  can  not  speak,  and 
our  lips  have  no  power  to  interpret  them;  but  thou 
knowest,  thou  seest.  We  do  not  need  to  speak  before 
thou  wilt  accept  the  unuttered  germ  of  thought  and  feel- 
ing. Accept  us  this  morning  in  our  thanks,  and  in  all 
the  memory  of  thy  grace  and  our  gratitude  for  it,  accord- 
ing to  that  which  thou  seest  and  not  according  to  that 
which  we  speak.  We  desire,  O  God,  no  other'  service. 
Thy  law  is  holy  and  just  and  good,  and  thy  service  with 
its  yoke  and  its  burden  is  more  truly  liberty  and  light- 
ness than  the  freest  service  of  the  world  and  of  sin. 
Then  only  do  we  feel  ourselves  without  care  when  we 
are  most  entirely  surrendered  to  the  spirit  and  will  of 
our  Father  in  heaven,  when  we  feel  that  our  life  is  flow- 
ing with  thine,  that  we  are  part  of  that  great  scheme  of 
redemption,  that  we  are  being  borne  in  the  bosom  of  the 
church  of  Christ,  that  we  are  of  them  that  are  to  be 
registered  in  heaven,  the  general  assembly  and  the 
church  of  the  first-born  there. 

O  Lord,  when  we  walk  with  these  thoughts  in  our 
souls,  how  are  our  meanest  duties  dignified  !  how  are  we 
enthusiastic  for  all  the  parts  of  our  earthly  life,  which 
has  lifted  up  and  illumined,  made  a  part  of  thy  work 


138  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

on  eartli !  O  grant  that  we  may  beliold  thee  thus 
in  all  our  least  afftiirs,  and  that  there  may  be  from  Christ 
that  motive  which  we  may  fail  to  find  in  the  nature  of 
things  around  us.  If  we  are  called  in  poverty,  may  w^e 
not  be  discouraofed  nor  ne2:lectful  because  there  seems  no 
motive  to  activity.  May  we  remember  Christ  and  find 
in  him  all  that  we  need.  If  we  are  in  obscurity,  may 
we  not  withdraw  from  enterprises  of  love  and  khidness, 
but  remember  Christ,  and  find  in  him  every  consideration 
moving  the  human  soul.  Though  we  are  surrounded  by 
trying  circumstances,  vehement  assaults  of  temptation, 
and  difficulties  of  every  kind,  O  remember  us.  Teach 
us  to  remember  thee,  and  may  we  draw  from  the  bosom 
of  thy  kindness  and  love  that  strength  v/hich  we  need, 
being  continued  to  us  that  we  may  not  fail  and  perish. 

We  pray  that  thou  wilt  be  very  gracious  to  every  one 
according  to  his  need.  Thou  knowest  the  universal 
heart ;  there  is  not  one  in  thy  presence  vrhose  name  is 
not  kiiowm  to  thee ;  there  is  not  one  whom  thou  dost  not 
know  better  than  he  knows  liim3elf :  nor  has  any  event 
ever  transpired  that  thou  hast  not  beheld  it,  for  thou 
hast  carried  us  ahvays  in  the  arms  of  thy  providence. 
Are  any  in  affiiction  ?  Thou  knowest  what  man  doth 
not ;  thou  canst  comfort.  Give  forth  the  consolations  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  to  draw  near  to  every  one  by  thine  own 
nature,  and  by  the  might  of  thine  own  glorious  love ; 
and  Vv^e  pray  that  they  may  find  themselves  strangely 
quieted  and  lifted  up,  and  as  children  that  are  hurt  are 
cau2:ht  in  the  bosom  of  a  mother's  love  and  hushed,  and 
scarcely  know  what  hath  comforted  them  or  what  strange 
joy  hath  befallen  them — so,  be  pleased  to  fulfill  that 
declaration  that  thy  love  and  remembrance  are  more  than 
a  mother's,  and  take  into  the  arms  of  divine  consolation 


PASSING    F.ROM   DEATH   TO    LIFE.  139 

those  that  need  thee,  that  tliey  may  be  hushed  in  thy 
bosom,  and  find  there  that  peace  which  passeth  all  under- 
standing. 

Arm  with  strength  according  to  the  duties  of  their  life 
those  that  stand  in  the  midst  of  human  affairs.  Leave 
them  not  unguarded,  leave  them  not  to  be  tempted  v/ith- 
out  help.  Comfort,  and  with  every  temptation  give 
them  rescue.  Teach  us  all  how  better  to  serve  Christ  in 
our  ordinary  and  daily  avocations  ;  and  may  we  have  this 
feeling  upon  us  that  it  is  Christ  that  we  serve  and  not 
ourselves.  We  pray  that  we  may  be  led,  not  by  pride, 
nor  by  selfishness,  nor  by  any  feeling,  motive,  and  pas- 
sion, but  that  we  may  be  led  by  faith  and  by  love. 

Grant  that  the  events  of  thy  providence  may  be 
blessed  to  us  spiritually  and  to  our  eternal  good.  We 
are  strangers  and  pilgrims  in  this  world.  May  we  heed 
it.  May  we  bless  God  for  all  the  fruit,  and  all  the  flowers 
that  bloom  or  hang  by  the  way  tempting  our  necessity, 
but  may  we  never  sit  down  nor  desire  to  embower  our- 
selves on  earth,  as  if  this  were  good  enough  for  our  home ; 
and  may  we  bear  about  with  us  in  our  most  pleasant 
experiences  the  thought  of  the  better  land,  and  may 
every  joy  that  comes  to  us  be  but  the  distant  sound  of 
the  heavenly  bells  that  call  us  hence  to  the  eternal 
city. 

Grant  that  every  day  we  may  so  live,  thinking  of  tlie 
future,  that  death  shall  be  the  most  radiant  of  portals, 
urging  through  which  we  ascend  to  triumph  and  eternal 
victory.  May  it  not  seem  to  us  a  sad  thing  to  grow  old. 
As  daylight  begins  to  dawn  upon  our  darkness,  leaving 
its  glory  there— as  one  sense  after  another  indicates  that 
thou  art  preparing  to  take  down  this  mortal  frame — as  we 
behold  these  signs  and  tokens  of  outward  decay,  O  grant 


140  eeecher's  pulpit  devotioxs. 

that  there  may  be  a  deep  peace,  an  inward  joj,  and  that 
the  thought  of  our  blessed  immortalitj  may  be  to  us  as  a 
balm  in  every  trouble,  as  light  in  all  darkness,  as  en- 
couragement under  all  oppressions  and  trials,  and  as  a 
guide  and  an  inspiration  when  things  seem  to  us  sapless 
and  dead. 

O  our  adorable  Saviour,  since  thou  art  the  way  and 
upon  thee  we  walk,  grant  that,  having  our  life  hidden  in 
thee,  we  may  at  last  go  forth,  not  doubting,  not  wander- 
ing, not  lost  in  death,  but  may  we  go  forth  to  find  our- 
selves called  by  vehement  voices  of  love,  and  may  there 
be  given  to  us  a  choral  entrance  into  heaven ;  may  there 
come  forth  not  only  those  that  have  been  of  us  and  with 
us  and  associated  in  sweet  and  blessed  church  fellowship, 
but  grant  that  there  may  come  forth  those  that  are  to  be 
our  superiors  and  teachers  there ;  may  we  go  forth  out 
of  this  school  and  drill  of  life,  and  find  ourselves  admitted 
to  manhood  and  to  the  home  and  city  of  our  God,  with 
songs,  and  joys  and  blessings  resting  upon  us ;  and  to 
thy  name  shall  be  the  praise.  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit. 
Amen. 


JESUS  SEEING  THE  TRAVAIL  OF  HIS  SOUL. 


Sabbath  Morning. 

INYOCATIOIT. 

Our  heavenly  Father  I  already  thou  hast  opened  the  temple  of  thy 
worship;  thou  hast  received  us  thyself;  thou  art  our  host,  and  we  are 
thy  guests.  Stretch  forth  thine  hand  to  give  us  that  food  which  we  need. 
Speak  nnto  every  one  of  us  by  name.  May  we  feel  that  we  have  come 
home,  and  be  able  to  say,  "  Our  Father."  We  beseech  of  thee  that  thou 
wilt  grant  us  the  light  that  we  need  and  desire  for  the  reading  of  thy 
word ;  grant  unto  us  that  enlarged  state  of  heart  which  shall  enable  us 
to  interpret  its  principles,  that  we  may  know  them  experimentally.  Draw 
us  forth  graciously  in  prayer,  communing  with  us,  and  inciting  us  to 
communion.  Help  us  to  sing,  and  accept  our  songs,  and  bless  us  in  all 
the  words  of  instruction ;  and  in  every  thing  that  we  shall  do  this  day, 
may  we  have  the  peace  and  the  defending  purity  of  God  with  us.  We 
ask  it  for  Christ's  sake.     Amen. 

BEFORE  SERMON. 

We  thank  thee,  tliou  eternal  Father,  that  the  glorious 
work,  the  manifestation  of  thj^self  through  Jesus  Christ, 
is  completed.  We  thank  thee  that  the  light  now  shineth 
into  the  world,  and  into  the  darkness  thereof,  even 
though  it  comprehendeth  it  not.  We  rejoice  that  the 
day-spring  is  with  thee ;  and  thou  that  nourishest  the 
morning  and  teachest  it  how  to  wax  in  strength  and 
spread  itself  abroad  upon  the  hemisphere,  thou  also  shalt 
teach  the  day-spring  from  on  high  to  come  upon  this 
earth,  and  carry  forward  the  first  faint  dawnings  to  the 


142  beecher's  pulpit  devotioxs. 

glorious  consummation,  when  the  knowledge  of  the  lord 
shall  fill  the  earth,  and  the  glory  of  Christ  shall  be  the 
glory  of  the  whole  human  family  ;  and  the  day  cometh 
and  tarrieth  not,  though  to  us  it  seems  to  linger,  for  our 
whole  long  life  measures  but  one  single  step  of  thine, 
and  thou  art  traveling  faster  than  we  know. 

It  is  our  slowness,  our  brevity,  and  our  ignorance,  that 
makes  it  seem  that  thou  delay  est  thy  coming.  We  com- 
fort ourselves,  and  are  rejoiced  without  sight,  to  believe 
that  thou,  O  blessed  Jesus,  wilt  yet  see  of  the  travail  of 
thy  soul  and  be  satisfied.  We  know  not  what  that 
means  :  but  when  we  look  upon  thy  yearnings,  when  we 
look  into  those  words  of  boundless  love,  v/lien  we  see  thy 
suffering  and  refusing  to  shrink,  drinking  the  cup  of 
anguish  to  its  very  dregs,  unwilling  to  descend  from  the 
cross,  that  thou  mightest  fulfill  the  desire  of  thine  heart 
in  the  salvation  of  the  world,  we  have  some  conception 
of  what  that  is  which  thou  longest  for,  and  what  shall 
be  the  glory  that  shall  satisfy  such  love  and  such  desire, 
stronger  than  suifering  or  death.  And  thou  slialt  be 
satisfied.  The  reaping  shall  be  a  thousand  fold  more 
than  the  sowing ;  and  though  we  cannot  measure  nor  put 
bounds,  nor  in  any-wise  analyze  and  define  what  shall  be 
this  glorious  triumph  of  redeeming  grace  in  the  earth, 
we  are  kindled  with  great  gladness,  joy,  and  gratitude 
toward  thee,  in  believing  that  there  comes  yet  a  popu- 
lous summer  in  the  future,  such  as  the  earth  hath  not 
known,  and  that  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shall  make  this 
poor  sin-stricken  struggling  earth,  that  hath  only  ruled 
to  groan  and  travail  in  pain  until  now — thou  shalt  make 
it  as  illustrious,  wheeling  among  the  heavenly  stars, 
for  its  joy,  its  purity,  and  God's  goodness  in  it,  as  it  hath 
been  sad  for  sorrow  and  sin  and  woe,  and  even  weeping. 


JESUS    SEEING    THE   TEAVAIL    OF    HIS   SOUL.  143 

O  Lord !  we  love  to  look  away,  thougli  it  be  into  the 
mist  made  luminous  in  thee.  We  love  to  look  at  the 
very  cloud  of  thy  glory,  though  it  part  not,  and  we  do 
not  see  thee  within  it.  Our  souls  move  within  us  and 
we  are  glad.  We  desire  to  take  comfort  in  all  our  part 
of  life,  in  our  struggles,  and  in  the  little  building  which 
we  are  permitted  to  have.  We  desire  to  take  comfort 
by  a  steadfast  regard  to  the  future,  not  curious  about 
what  is  unseen,  yet  comforting  ourselves  in  the  frigid^ 
cool  realities  of  the  present.  We  love,  O  God,  to  warm 
ourselves  by  hope  in  the  future;  for  often  and  often 
we  have  realized  that  we  are  saved  by  hope  from 
despondency,  from  discouragement,  from  repining  and 
murmuring,  and  are  clothed  afresh  and  go  forward 
rejoicing  in  a  poor  naked  way. 

And  now,  O  thou  blessed  One,  we  pray,  while  thou 
dost  not  reveal  to  us  the  secrets  of  thy  counsel  and  all 
the  fruit  of  thy  decrees,  yet  we  pray  that  thou  wilt 
manifest  to  us  that  which  is  better,  something  more  of 
thine  own  self.  It  is  not  so  much  what  thou  wilt  do 
with  other  worlds,  nor  with  time,  nor  with  thine  own 
administration,  we  desire;  we  ask  to  know  what  thou 
wilt  do  with  thine  own  and  with  us.  We  ask  to  be 
drawn  nearer  to  thy  heart,  to  understand  what  it  is  to 
know  something  of  the  love  of  God,  the  whole  of  which 
passes  understanding.  We  desire  to  have  a  more  near 
and  divinely  inspired  conception  of  what  is  the  sweet- 
ness, the  purity,  the  faithfulness,  and  the  endurance,  of 
the  love  of  Christ  to  sinful  souls.  We  are  creatures 
made  up  of  flesh  and  passion  and  appetite ;  we  have 
selfishness,  and  pride,  and  a  thousand  evil  things  in  us ; 
and  we  cannot,  when  our  own  moral  conception  is  clari- 
fied and  beams  with  the  reflected  light  of  vision,  we 


144  beeciiee's  pulpit  devotions. 

cannot  even  love  our  own  selves,  or  approve  our- 
selves, and  yet  thou  dost  look  upon  us,  and  dost  love 
us,  and  thy  heart  is  toward  us.  All  the  drawings  that 
w^e  have  of  good,  all  the  pointings  of  aspiration,  all 
the  kindling  of  sparks  and  flames  in  us,  are  of  thee, 
because  thou  lovest  us.  Grant  us,  then,  to  have  some 
conception  of  what  that  divinity  is  that  knows  how  to 
love  the  sinful,  and  to  purify  them  out  of  their  sin 
by  love,  that  blessed  bath  of  God  in  which  we  are 
washed,  and  whence  we  are  yet  to  ascend  triumphantly 
white  as  snow. 

O  God,  we  desire  to  know  something  of  this  love  of 
Christ,  both  as  a  thing  to  be  thought  of  and  as  a  thing 
more  to  be  felt.  "We  desire  to  be  redeemed  by  it ;  we 
desire  that  it  may  cause  all  things  weak  in  ns,  and  that 
should  be  strong,  to  grow,  and  that  it  may  cause  the 
things  that  are  strong  which  should  be  weak,  to  diminish. 
Grant,  we  beseech  thee,  that  we  may  have  in  thy 
nourishing  bosom  all  that  which  thou  hast  taught  us  of 
thyself  in  the  nourishing  by  the  mother  of  her  child. 
Grant  that  we  may  have  the  feeling  of  a  child ;  may  we 
belittle  children  before  God  ;  may  we  know  how  to  nestle 
in  the  bosom  of  thy  promises ;  how  to  look  up  and  say, 
against  every  fear,  "  Well,  it  is  my  father ;"  may  we 
know  how  to  put  down  every  temptation  by  the  feeling 
and  warmth  of  our  Father's  heart.  Grant  that  we  may 
have  this  entrance  into  the  bright  life  of  love,  into  this 
peace  which  passeth  all  understanding.  May  we  thus 
have  the  purity  wrought  in  us  which  love  works,  begin 
nino;  to  show  more  and  more  of  God.  May  we  know 
out  of  whicli  window  of  the  soul  to  look  when  we  would 
descry  thee ;  and  turning  from  reason,  and  from  all 
powers  and  passions,  may  we  look  out  through  the  orbed 


JESUS    SEEING   THE    TEAYAIL    OF    HIS    SOUL.  145 

glass  of  faith  and  love,  and  there  behold  thee,  and  gaze 
till  the  vision  grows,  till  growing  it  draws  near,  and 
drawing  near  it  fulfills  the  promises  and  comes  in  and 
abides  with  us :  and  so  may  we  feel  adopted,  and  know 
that  we  are  God's  beloved  children,  not  because  we  see 
in  onrselves  the  things  that  make  us  worthy  to  be 
children,  but  because  we  have  a  conception  of  God  that 
teaches,  us  that  he  can  love  imperfect  and  sinful  and  un- 
lovely creatures ;  and  grant  that  the  thought  of  God's 
power,  God's  depth,  and  the  endless  abundance  of  love  and 
of  its  transforming  poAver  upon  the  soul,  may  grow  in  us  ; 
not  so  much  our  thought  of  worthiness,  not  so  much  our 
thought  of  atonement,  not  so  much  any  expectancy 
founded  upon  our  will  or  persistence  in  good,  but  may 
we  have  this  feeling — that  thy  mercies  are  endless,  and 
that  the  power  and  abundance  of  thy  goodness  is  beyond 
all  expression,  or  thought,  or  imagination,  and  so  may 
our  life  be  hid  in  thine,  and  as  streams  flow  out  from  the 
sides  of  mountains  but  drops  beginning,  and  rills  going 
forward  to  constitute  the  broad  stream,  so  from  the 
mountain  of  Zion  may  all  the  sources  of  our  life  come, 
and  may  the  stream  thereof  go  forth. 

We  beseech  thee,  O  Lord,  that  thou  wilt  bless  with  us 
all  whom  we  love,  and  those  whom  we  ought  to  love. 
Bless,  we  beseech  thee,  the  whole  family  of  man.  We 
long  for  that  day  of  bright  prediction.  Our  souls  are 
troubled  except  when  we  shield  and  clothe  ourselves 
from  the  thought  of  what  man  is  doing  to  man.  The 
earth  verily  is  tormented,  an  1  its  time  has  not  yet 
come  for  peace.  O  thou  patient  One,  O  thou  wonder- 
ful God  of  long  suffering,  either  make  haste  or  else  give 
us  faith  to  wait ;  and  grant,  we  beseech  thee,  that  in  our 
lifetime  every  one  of  us  may  cast  something  into  tlie 
1 


146  BEECHEr's   pulpit    DEVOTIOXS. 

treasury  of  the  Lord.  May  we  all  be  workers  together 
with  God  for  the  redemption  of  this  lost  world. 

And  we  beseech  thee,  that  we  may  have  a  renewed, 
desire  to  be  ourselves  pure,  noble,  heroic,  strong  and 
constant  in  all  good  things.  May  we  fear  not  the  face 
of  man  nor  man's  tongue  ;  may  we  fear  nothing  but  God ; 
and  may  we  fear  thee  only  because  we  love  thee  and 
fear  thee  in  love.  May  we  be  emancipated  frosn  all 
other  bondage  of  fear,  and  so  may  we  grow  careless  while 
we  take  care  of  every  duty ;  so  may  we  be  released  from 
fright,  apprehension,  and  all  the  things  that  weigh  down 
the  spirit  and  consume  the  marrow  of  life.  In  God  may 
we  be  strong,  and  write  upon  our  banner,  "  If  God  be  for 
us,  v/ho  can   be  against  us." 

May  all  those  that  preach  thy  Gospel  preach  the 
Gospel  of  Christ ;  may  it  be  the  Gospel  of  truth  dissolved 
in  their  own  consciousness,  and  may  it  not  be  deductions 
of  the  letter  but  the  life  of  the  spirit,  and  may  there  be 
great  power  given  to  thy  people.  May  their  joys  increase ; 
may  thy  churches  purify  themselves,  may  their  light  and 
virtues  become  more  and  more  significant  to  divine  justice, 
purity  and  truth.  May  the  day  hasten  when  the  church, 
which  is  the  universal  family  of  man  redeemed,  shall 
possess  the  earth,  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  fill  it  as  the 
waters  fill  the  sea  ;  and  to  thy  name  shall  be  the  praise, 
Father,  Son,  and  Spirit.     Amen. 


SACRAMENTAL  SEASON. 


Sahhath  Morning, 

INYOCATIOI^'. 

Thou  art  exalted  forever ;  and  being  God,  thou  sendest  forth  innumer- 
able mercies  which  fall  upon  the  earth  as  the  rain  and  the  light,  which 
come  not  in  vain,  and  return  not  to  thee,  but  accomplish  the  purpose 
whereto  thou  sendest.  Be  pleased  then  out  of  thine  infinite  fulness  to 
clothe  our  poverty  to-day.  Give  us  bread  from  our  Father's  table ;  reach 
forth  thy  hand  which  hath  in  it  the  keys  of  life  and  death;  open  the  doors 
of  our  understanding,  and  open  the  doors  of  our  hearts,  and  bring  fortli 
into  life  every  grateful  thought,  every  sweet  and  divine  affection,  and  fill 
us  this  day  with  the  spirit  of  devotion.  May  we  know  how  to  call  thee 
Father,  from  the  swellings  of  our  hearts ;  may  we  know  how  to  thank 
thee,  how  to  rejoice  in  thee,  how  boldly  to  express  our'gladuess  and  every 
feeling  w4iich  comes  from  our  heart  toward  thee.  May  we  be  blest  in  thy 
word,  in  its  reading  and  in  speaking  from  it;  may  we  be  blest  in  prayer ; 
may  we  know  the  way  as  thine  angels  know  it,  up  through  the  trackless 
air  by  faith  to  thy  throne;  may  we  be  blest  in  the  fellowship  of  song, 
rejoice  together,  and  sing  with  the  innumerable  throng  that  hymn  around 
about  thee  in  heaven,  joining  our  imperfect  songs  to  their  glorious  anthems. 
May  the  whole  earth,  and  all  the  realm  of  the  universe  praise  thee  this 
day.     "We  ask  it  for  Christ's  sake.     Amen. 

BEFORE  SERMON. 

Thou,  that  wert  a  man  of  poverty  and  acquainted  with 
grief,  art  lifted  np  now  above  all  sorrow,  and  art  draw- 
ing thitherward  all  thine  that  are  in  affliction,  tempta- 
tion, trial,  and  difficulty.  Thou  wilt  not  permit  any  to 
be  taken  out  of  thy  hand  ;  but  wilt  keep  to  the  end  all 
whom  thy  Father  hath  given  thee.     We  rejoice  in  thy 


148  beechee's  pulpit  devotioxs. 

supremacy,  tliy  faithfulness,  and  thy  powers.  All  our  hope 
of  continuance  in  good  and  of  victory  in  the  issue  of  life 
is  in  thy  watching  and  warfare. 

Thou,  O  Christ,  art  appointed  the  "Captain  of  our 
salvation;  following  thee  we  have  hope,  but  without  thee 
we  can  do  nothing.  Thou  art  our  bread  and  our  rai- 
ment ;  thou  art  the  door  of  our  dvv^elling  and  the  temple ; 
thou  art  our  life,  and  the  sword  of  our  defence ;  thou  art 
our  friend  and  our  physician ;  thou  art  our  teacher  and 
our  deliverer ;  thou  art  our  Saviour  nov/,  our  Redeemer  in 
the  hour  of  death  and  our  final  exceeding  great  reward. 
We  hail  and  bless  thy  name  this  morning ;  thou  hast 
sent  this  Sabbath  that  walks  with  quiet  feet  and  ardent 
brow  merging  from  storm,  to  teach  how  thy  blessings 
and  thy  gracious  succor  come  forth  from  the  dark  and 
utmost  storms.  May  we  read  not  only  the  messages  of 
thy  word,  but  day  by  day  understand  and  interpret  the 
ways  of  nature,  which,  speaking  to  us,  is  the  reminding 
voice  of  God. 

We  beseech  thee  that  to  us  this  maj^  be  a  day  of  bright- 
ness, of  calmness,  and  joy.  May  we  have  to-day  no 
purposes  of  pride,  and  none  of  selfishness,  which  war 
against  thee  and  against  our  own  souls ;  may  we  lay 
aside  all  the  burdens  of  care  and  of  distress,  and  come 
home  to  our  Father's  house,  and  around  our  Father's 
table,  in  fellowship  one  with  another.  May  we  dismiss 
the  world  and  all  its  troubles,  that  we  may  sit  peace- 
fully and  lo\dngly,  trustfully  and  gladly  in  the  presence 
of  our  Kedeemer. 

O  Lord  God,  thou  dost  love  to  house  thy  children — 
thou  dost  love  to  take  them  to  that  imperial  place  in 
thine  own  heart.  Thou  dost  love,  when  the  world 
thunders  round  about  them  and  stoi'ms  upon   them,  to 


SACRAMENTAL   SEASON.  149 

hide  tiiem  in  fhy  pavilion,  until  tlie  storm  be  ovei'past. 
Kow  grant  that  this  Sabbath  day  may  lift  itself  up  over 
all  of  us  as  the  pavilion  of  God.  May  we  dwell  in  it 
secure,  restful  and  at  peace  from  every  piercing  fear, 
from  every  induration  and  thought  of  guilt.  May  we 
have  the  peace  of  God.  O  let  the  light  of  thy  coun- 
tenance fall  tranquilly  upon  our  hearts  undisturbed  ; 
and  whatever  may  have  been  our  weekly  care  or  trouble, 
to-day  may  we  see  God ;  to-day  may  we  reach  Christ ; 
to-day  may  we  feel  that  our  whole  life  is  instinct 
with  the  Holy  Ghost;  and  may  our  affections  move 
in  harmony  with  thy  will,  and  our  thoughts  tend 
upward  toward  thee.  May  we  have  that  peculiar  and 
unmistakeable  blessing  of  the  sanctuary,  with  which 
thou  art  wont  to  enrich  and  bless  thine  own  dear 
children. 

We  beseech  thee  that  thou  wilt  not  only  grant  this 
consummation,  but  that  it  may  be  for  the  furtherance 
of  our  faith,  that  it  may  establish  us  in  our  trust  in  thee, 
and  that  it  may  give  us  courage  to  do  right,  always, 
and  everywhere,  and  that  it  may  make  our  faith  in  thine 
over-ruling  providence  immutable,  so  that  we  shall  not 
be  turned  out  of  our  way  by  any  threat  or  fear.  May 
we  not  be  afraid  what  man  shall  do  unto  us ;  for  if  God 
be  for  us,  who  can  be  against  us  ? 

Bless,  we  beseech  of  thee,  according  to  the  wants  of 
individual  hearts,  every  one  in  thy  presnce.  If  any 
have  come  hither  from  curiosity,  if  any  bearing  burdens ; 
yet  in  the  presence  of  God,  may  every  one  be  pressed  in 
the  open  and  secret  recess  of  his  heart  to  oifer  up  praise 
and  thanksgiving,  and  to  make  confession  of  sin.  O  may 
every  one  come  before  thee,  that  knowest  the  thoughts 
and  intents  of  the  heart,  and  open  it  that  thou  mayest 


150  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

survey  and  searcli  in  it  the  whole  interior  life  with  thy 
cleansing  eye. 

Grant,  we  beseech  thee,  that  we  may  be  able  to-day 
as  in  the  presence  of  God,  to  consecrate  anew  every 
power,  every  affection.  May  we  lift  up  our  plans,  which 
we  have  formed  in  twilight  and  are  half  hidden  in  their 
moral  character  from  ourselves,  and  survey  them  in  the 
light  of  thy  countenance.  May  we  look  upon  all  the 
forces  and  tendencies  of  our  life  to-day,  and  measure 
them  again  by  the  truth  of  God's  word.  May  we  stand 
to-day  and  bear  upon  ourselves  that  light  of  the  eternal 
world,  tha-t  shall  throw  just  light  and  measurement  upon 
all  our  thoughts  and  feelings,  our  habits  and  processes, 
so  that  we  may  to-day  indeed  meet  our  God  rejoicingly. 
Are  any  cast  down  ?  Thou  hast  strength  for  those  that 
will  suffer  thee  to  lift  them  up.  Are  any  pierced  and 
bleeding  their  life  away  in  grief?  Thou  that  hast  died  in 
unutterable  anguish,  hast  in  thy  blood  balm  and  remedy 
for  every  lesser  grief  that  the  world  shall  know. 

Are  any  in  thy  presence  discouraged  and  disheartened 
and  dissolved  within  them  by  shame  and  conscious  guilt  ? 
Thou,  O  Jesus,  hast  inspired  penitence  and  confidence 
of  restoration  and  purity  in  thrice  ten  thousand  souls, 
and  heaven  is  full  to-day  of  those  that  never  thought  to 
reach  it.  All  throuc^h  the  shinins;  ranks  come  those 
that  are  forever  and  forevcrmore  pouring  precious  oint- 
ment from  the  alabaster  box  of  their  own  hearts ;  they 
are  redeemed,  they  are  washed,  they  are  cleansed,  who 
on  earth  seemed  to  themselves  soiled  to  the  inmost ;  so 
great  is  thy  power  to  forgive  sins,  so  great  is  thy  power 
to  cleanse  the  conscience  and  to  mend  the  broken  life.  O 
grant  that  there  may  be  none  in  thy  presence,  that  shall 
cast  away  God,  because  they  have  cast  themselves  away. 


SACRAMENTAL    SEASON.  151 

We  beseech  thee  that  thou  wilt  draw  near  to  those 
that  are  sordid  and  burdened  with  unnecessary  care, 
wTio  take  care  with  unnecessary  burden;  we  pray 
they  may  learn  every  day  to  love  the  things  that 
are  placed  for  them  as  duties,  and  may  they  perform 
their  task  each  day  in  the  name  of  God ;  may  they 
learn  how  to  bear  trouble  for  Christ's  sake,  and  so 
find  some  sweetness  in  it.  We  beseech  thee  that  they 
may  feel,  in  having  their  way  in  the  wilderness,  that 
while  they  are  removing  tlieir  obstacles,  they  meet  many 
precious  vines  with  clusters  most  refreshing,  that  they 
press  many  odorous  things  that  give  them  fragrance 
by  the  way,  and  so  may  they  toil  on,  content  if  it  be  thy 
will  to  labor  in  things  that  are  poor  and  humble,  to  bear 
burdens  as  good  soldiers,  looking  not  here  but  hereafter 
for  rest  and  reward. 

"We  beseech  thee,  O  God,  that  thou  wilt  grant,  if  there 
are  any  in  thy  presence  who  know  not  which  way  to  look 
for  the  East,  show  them  at  last  the  bright  and  the  morn- 
ing star.  Gazing  upon  that,  ere  long  bring  them  forth  and 
suffuse  them  with  the  light  of  the  rising  sun  of  Hight- 
eousness,  with  healing  in  his  beams.  If  any  are  strug- 
gling with  themselves  at  times  like  mariners  over  blown 
of  storms  and  seemingly  about  to  go  dov/n  ;  if  any  are 
struggling  to  overcome  old  habits,  to  staunch  corrupt 
inclinations,  to  put  down  all  wicked  tendencies ;  if  there 
are  any  that  seem  to  themselves  at  times  almost  cast- 
aways, may  they  be  led  into  the  bosom  of  Christ ;  may 
they  go  nowhere  else,  but  steer  right  to  thine  heart.  It 
is  a  stone  of  stumbling  to  those  that  break  upon  it,  but 
a  rock  of  defence  to  those  that  come  by  faith.  Grant 
that  every  one  of  us  may  know  how,  more  nearly  than 
the  favored  disciple,  to  lay  our  head  upon  the  bosom  of 


152  beechee's  pulpit  devotions. 

Jesus,  and  there  may  our  cares  fly,  and  all  our  troubles 
be  hushed,  and  our  soul  find  its  rest. 

Bless  all  that  worship  to-day  in  other  congregations  ; 
strengthen  thy  dear  servants  to  preach  the  truth  as  it  is 
in  Jesus.  E-estrain  all  temptations  that  beset  thy  church  ; 
give  victory  to  thy  people  in  all  the  struggles  that  they 
maintain  in  the  name  of  Jesus.  Grant  that  the  whole 
earth  may  speedily  see  thy  salvation ;  and  may  the  glory 
of  the  Lord  shine  as  the  sun  traveling  in  the  greatness 
of  his  strength.  May  we  depart  speaking  a  better  speech 
of  Christ,  and  when  these  seats  are  no  longer  filled  with 
our  forms,  may  our  children  and  their  children  rise  up 
and  take  our  places  and  carryforward  thy  work ;  and 
when  all  our  worldly  experiences  end,  and  our  history 
closes  here,  may  it  open  with  grace  and  glory  in  heaven, 
there  to  go  on  unto  perfection  ;  and  to  thy  name  shall  bo 
the  praise,  Father,  Son  and,  Spirit.     Amen. 


STRENGTH   IN"    GOD. 


Sabbath  Morning. 

INVOCATION. 

Our  Father — Grant  us  that  blessing,  without  which  we  shall  remain  in 
darkness,  as  those  that  are  blind.  Quicken  us,  that  we  may  discern 
thee.  Move  our  affections,  that  leaving  mere  earthly  influences,  they 
may  begin  to  lift  themselves  up  this  morning  to  seek  thee,  and  fasten 
devotedly  upon  thee.  Bless  the  reading  of  thy  word,  and  may  it  be  as 
the  bread  of  God  handed  down  to  our  want.  Bless  the  union  of  prayer, 
and  may  we  have  our  petitions  suggested  by  thy  Spirit,  that  they  may 
be  granted.  Bless  us  in  giving  thanks,  especially  in  songs  of  thanks- 
giving and  praise ;  and  in  our  endeavors  for  instruction  from  thy  word 
may  we  have  thy  guidance  ;  may  the  exercises  of  the  sanctuary,  and  of 
our  several  homes  this  day  be  divinely  accepted  and  blest.  We  ask  it  for 
Christ's  sake.     Amen. 

BEFORE    SEKMON. 

Thotj  art  a  very  present  help  in  time  of  trouble,  O 
thon  that  art  the  salvation  of  the  earth  and  the  Saviour 
of  men.  Therefore  will  we  put  our  trust  in  thee.  We 
lean  upon  other  things  which  thou  hast  appointed,  but 
their  strength  is  of  God  ;  and  thou  art  beneath  every 
thing,  and  dost  lift  up  every  thing  that  is  able  to  stand 
with  thine  own  strength  ;  and  thou  givest  thy  people 
faith  to  discern  that  all  strength  is  of  God,  so  that  we 
are  enabled  to  feel  that  thou  art  in  every  thing,  and  that 
all  the  attributes  and  uses  of  human  life  and  of  nature 
itself  are  of  God.  We  rejoice  that  the  savor  of  thine 
own  self  is  in  all  the  earth,  and  rejoice  that  we  by  faith 
7* 


154  beecher's  pflpit  devotions. 

know  tliee.  We  have  been  enliglitened  by  the  word  of 
God,  and  by  the  teaching  of  the  Spirit  through  the 
word. 

We  rejoice  that  now  our  reading  of  truth  is  augmented, 
and  we  go  forth  from  that  Holy  Scripture  able  to  under- 
stand what  thou  hast  written  in  the  work  of  nature, 
that  primal  revelation,  but  which  men  were  not  able  to 
understand  aright.  We  rejoice,  O  God,  that  thou  art  con- 
tinuing from  day  to  day  to  turn  some  leaves,  and  giving 
us  further  knowledge  ;  that  we  are  permitted  to  grow  in 
grace,  and  in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ.  We  mourn  that  we  have  had  so  little 
growth,  and  borne  so  little  fruit,  and  that  so  poor ;  and 
we  desire,  quickened  by  thee,  encouraged  by  thy  smiles, 
nourished  and  drawn  mightily  forward  by  thy  gentleness, 
O  Lord  God,  we  desire  in  times  yet  to  come,  to  be  more 
and  more  perfect  disciples.  We  rejoice  that  time  itself 
is  developing  strength,  and  that  in  the  natural  unfold- 
ings  of  our  soul,  if  we  are  guided  by  thy  strength,  we 
are  coming  into  those  states  in  which  more  knowledge 
is  possible,  greater  depths  of  feeling,  and  a  wider  round 
of  experience. 

And  we  desire,  O  Lord  Jesus,  to  be  taken  by  the  hand 
and  led  into  all  truth.  May  we  not  arrest  thee  by  our 
pride  ;  may  we  not  be  given  over  to  the  folly  of  conceit, 
thus  thinking  we  know  more  than  all,  when  we  know 
nothing.  May  we  have  that  spirit  of  little  children,  by 
which  we  shall  know  how  to  confide  before  we  know 
the  reasons  of  confidence.  May  we  ever  find  toward 
thee  an  open  heart  of  belief,  of  trust,  of  love.  May  we 
live  by  that  faith  which  works  by  love.  Purify  us,  we 
beseech  thee,  from  the  power  of  the  flesh.  May  we 
know   how  to  control  ourselves,  so  that  our  whole  soul 


STRENGTH   IX    GOD.  lbi> 


and  bod;f  may  be  sanctified.  May  we  desire  to  carry 
about  whatever  tbou  bast  given  us,  whatever  endow- 
ments, and  whatever  organization,  as  a  gift  of  God,  most 
precious,  and  consecrated  to  his  service. 

We  beseech  thee,  that  thou  wilt  help  us  in  the  several 
allotments  and  appointments  of  our  life,  where  thou  hast 
sent  us.  Thou  hast  need  of  witnesses  in  every  place. 
Thou  art  teaching  the  Vv'orld,  and  the  worlds  to  come 
that  are  spectators,  what  is  the  immense  diversity  of  thy 
grace  in  thy  people  ;  and  art  unfolding  from  the  human 
race  in  their  several  positions,  something  of  that  infinite 
treasure  that  is  in  thine  own  soul's  goodness.  May  every 
one  of  us  understand,  when  we  are  in  peculiar  relations 
and  circumstances,  that  it  is  because  we  are  there  to 
bear  witness  which  no  one  else  can  bear.  We  pray,  for 
Christ's  sake,  that  we  may  study  the  things  that  are  just 
and  true,  the  things  that  are  meek  and  pure,  the  things 
that  are  gentle  and  patient,  the  things  that  are  living  and 
right.  We  pray  that  we  may  be  guided  by  sight  so  far 
as  that  is  best,  and  by  faith  where  sight  fails,  and  where 
neither  sight  nor  faith  avail  us,  vdiere  we  know  not  at 
all,  nor  even  imagine,  may  we  be  guided  by  the  presence 
of  that  all-surrounding  Providence.  Do  thou  think  for 
us,  and  may  we  be  saved  by  thy  knowledge. 

We  beseech  thee  that  thou  wilt  teach  us  how  to  look 
upon  each  other  as  of  one  household,  not  merely  those 
that  are  confederated  in  the  bonds  of  one  church  cove- 
nant, but  as  those  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  May 
we  feel  that  we  are  a  common  household.  May  we  not 
vex  each  other,  nor  selfishly  follow  our  own  sectional 
ends,  but  may  we  live  in  sweet  fellowship  with  thee,  in- 
divisible ;  and  we  beseech  thee  to  teach  us  how  to  look 
upon  all  mankind  with  that  same  pitifulness  that  thou 


156  beeciier's  pulpit  devotions. 

hast.  May  we  ever  feel  that  all  are  created  in  the  image 
of  God,  and  destined  to  live  with  God  eternally. 

Grant,  we  beseech  of  thee,  that  the  sight  of  our  eyes 
may  affect  onr  hearts  as  we  pass  through  this  world,  as 
a  vale  of  tears ;  may  it  not  be  ours  to  ravage,  to  destroy, 
to  oppress,  to  appropriate,  to  hoard,  and  perpetuate  the 
misery  that  already  hath  lingered  too  long  ;  but  may  wo 
be  the  children  of  grace,  and  diffuse  on  every  side  the  odor 
of  peace,  the  reasons  of. purity,  and  the  influences  of  love ; 
and  may  we  be  workers  together  with  God,  in  the  redemp- 
tion of  this  world.  We  pray  that  thou  wilt  bless  the 
instrumentalities  which  thy  people  have  appropriated  to 
the  great  objects  of  benevolence  in  tliis  world.  Bless 
those  that  labor  among  the  poor  and  ignorant,  that  train 
the  young  and  turn  them  early  from  the  ways  of  vice  and 
crooked  crime  into  the  straight  way  of  justice  and  purity. 

Be  with  those,  we  pray,  that  in  foreign  lands  preach  an 
unsearchable  gospel  to  the  heathen ;  may  they  be  built 
up  themselves  in  holy  fiiith,  and  may  the  power  of  godli- 
ness inspire  their  labor  and  give  it  success.  Be  with 
those,  we  beseech  thee,  everywhere,  that  are  diffusing  the 
word  of  truth,  and  sending  abroad  the  glorious  Gospel 
of  Jesus  Christ.  We  pray  that  thou  wilt  build  up  thy 
kingdom  in  every  form.  Diffuse  more  and  more  the 
spirit  of  the  gospel  into  secular  affairs.  May  all  institu- 
tions of  law  and  justice,  may  all  governments  and  organi- 
zations of  the  world  conform  themselves  to  the  spirit  of 
Christ,  and  represent  the  spirit  of  his  gospel,  and  that 
day  be  hastened  when  war  shall  cease,  and  slavery  as 
darkness  fly  away  ;  when  all  misdeeds  shall  pass  and  be  a 
thing  but  remembered,  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  fill  the 
earth  as  the  waters  fill  the  sea.  And  to  thy  name  shall 
be  the  praise,  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit.     Amen. 


DEPENDENCE. 


AN   EVEXING   PEATER. 

We  thank  thee,  our  Father,  that  thoii  hast  not  cast  us 
forth  from  heaven  in  thj  wrath ;  we  are  not  born  into 
this  world  as  though  we  had  fallen  headlong  ;  thou  hast 
sent  us  hither  that  thou  mightest  bring  us  bat;k  again  in 
the  day  of  thy  glory  with  joy  and  everlasting  triumph. 
Nor  wilt  thou  suffer  us  to  be  overborne  nor  tempted 
be3^ond  that  wdiich  we  are  able  to  bear.  Thou  wilt  open 
a  door  of  escape ;  thou  wilt  lead  us  forth  out  of  our  sin 
and  out  of  our  transgression  ;  thou  wilt  heal  the  love  of 
sin  in  us ;  thou  wilt  by  thine  own  blessed  spirit  work  in 
us  mightily  to  will  and  to  do  of  the  things  which  are 
pleasing  to  thee.  We  thank  thee  for  this  assurance  of 
thy  providence  ;  for  this  certainty  of  thy  grace  ;  for  this 
wonder  and  wealth  of  thy  love  ;  for  this  thoughtfulness 
in  our  behalf.  Hov/  great  is  the  sum  of  thy  thoughts  of 
us !  How  precious  when  they  come  to  our  realization ; 
that  thou  dost  think  of  us,  and  tliink  to  love,  and  love 
to  succor  and  redeem.  We  cannot  reach  the  height  and 
the  glory  of  this,  but  we  receive  it  gladly.  This  is  the 
succor  which  we  need. 

Much  as  we  can  do  in  this  life,  and  are  made  to  do 
for  ourselves  ;  much  as  we  can  help  one  another,  thou, 
O  God,  art  yet  needful  for  us.     We  need  thee,  that  we 


158  BEECHER's    PTCTLPIT   DEVOTION'S. 

may  rest;  we  need  thee  that  we  may  be  raised  up  out 
of  rest ;  we  need  thee  that  we  may  be  able  to  discharge 
the  duties  which  are  incumbent  upon  us  one  among 
others  in  life ;  w^e  need  thee  more  that  we  may  not  be 
held  down  to  earth  by  our  daily  duties,  but  that  Vv^e  may 
learn  from  them  to  rise  to  higher  conceptions  of  life  and 
ideals  of  character,  that  we  may  be  able  to  take  hold 
upon  the  invisible  and  eternal  truths  of  thy  kingdom. 
We  need  thee  every  day ;  v/e  need  thee  sleeping  or 
v/aking.  When  we  lie  down  and  cannot  think  for  our- 
selves, we  are  safest ;  then  most  we  need  thee  when  we 
rise  up  and  begin  to  go  forth  and  act  upon  our  own 
judgments,  and  are  open  to  ten  thousand  temptations; 
we  need  thee  in  the  things  which  we  do  best,  and  how 
much  more  in  all  other  things ! 

And  now,  we  beseech  thee,  that  it  may  not  seem  tons 
either  terrible  or  hard  that  we  should  open  the  door  of 
the  soul  and  call  thee  in  to  dwell  with  us.  May  we 
desire  above  all  other  things  to  be  guided  by  thee ;  may 
we  desire  those  things  that  most  nearly  represent  thy 
will ;  may  we  not  sit  down  in  our  own  complacency,  nor 
flatter  ourselves  with  the  opinions  of  otliers,  nor  live 
under  any  servile  obedience  to  the  things  that  now  are, 
and  are  of  esteem  among  men.  Be  thou  discerned  of  us, 
and  reveal  thyself  to  every  one.  May  we  be  dissatisfied 
with  ourselves,  with  our  past  lives,  yet  not  in  a  repining 
spirit,  but  may  we  forget  the  things  that  are  behind,  and 
may  we  reach  upward  and  press  forward.  We  beseech 
of  thee  that  thou  wilt  bless  us  accordino^  to  our  several 
necessities.  W^ith  some  there  is  a  strife  of  pride  ever- 
more, but  tliou  hast  pity  on  the  proud ;  thou  wilt  help 
them,  and  dost  love  to  help  rather  than  punish,  if  tliey 
will  permit  thee.     There  are  those  that  are  made  w^eak 


DEPEXDEXCS.  159 

by  their  vanity  every  day,  and  led  by  it  into  transgres- 
sion. We  beseech  of  thee  that  thou  wilt  teach  them 
how  to  wage  that  battle  of  faith  which  belongs  peculiarly 
to  them,  and  may  they  look  at  those  things  as  thou  dost, 
and  see  that  their  life  lies  where  most  is  to  be  overcome; 
and  may  they  not  wish  that  they  were  others,  or  that 
their  circumsta,nces  were  changed,  or  that  any  thing  was 
different  but  purity.  May  they  long  for  greater  man- 
hood, for  more  holiness  before  God,  and  may  they  accept 
their  circumstances  and  their  discipline  as  the  means 
which  thou  dost  point  to  them  of  grace.  "We  beseech  of 
thee  that  thou  wilt  bless  those  that  are  exercised  particu- 
larly with  worldly  care,  and  in  its  midst  find  themselves 
drawn  away  and  tempted,  and  overcome  by  temptations. 
Kemember  any  that  find  themselves  mourning  the 
violation  of  their  own  moral  sense,  who  see  how  far  their 
feet  slide,  who  know  how  irreconcilable  with  the  law  of 
God  is  the  life  they  have  lived,  but  who  spend  their 
time  in  repentance. 

We  beseech  of  thee  that  thou  wilt  help  them  to  set  up 
thy  banner,  which  is  victorious  over  temptation  and  over 
the  adversary.  We  beseech  of  thee  that  thou  v/ilt  give 
them  such  confirmation  in  good  that  they  may  at  last 
begin  to  build  higher  than  their  foes  can  reach,  and 
beyond  the  reach  of  any  more  unsettling. 

If  there  are  those  in  thy  presence,  that  by  ignorance 
or  heedless  mistakes,  who,  by  courses  of  folly  and  wicked- 
ness in  times  past,  are  suffering  severe  penalties  and 
trouble,  we  pray  that  they  may  not  spend  their  time  in 
useless  murmuring,  that  they  may  not  rebel  against  the 
past,  but  rather  may  they  take  hope  of  thee,  and  with  all 
their  heart  turn  to  the  living  God,  and  find  in  a  newness 
of  life  that  peace  which  they  cannot  find  in  the  present 


160  eeecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

nor  in  the  remembrances  of  the  past ;  and  may  every  one 
have  hope  in  thee.  May  none  feel  that  they  are  in  a 
state  withont  hope ;  the  most  guilty,  the  most  wicked, 
those  that  have  sinned  longest,  and  deepest,  and  darkest, 
may  they  remember  that  there  is  a  grace  of  God  in  Christ 
Jesus  even  to  them,  to  those  afar  off  as  well  as  to  those 
that  are  near.  O  make  thine  atoning  mercy  and  the 
glory  of  thy  forgiving  goodness  apparent  unto  every  one, 
and  may  every  one  be  able  to  see  that,  in  proportion  as 
they  are  forgiven,  according  to  the  m.agnitude  of  their 
iniquity  and  the  greatness  of  their  transgression  will  be 
the  glory  transcending  which  thou  v/ilt  have,  if  thou 
showest  mercy  nnto  them  ;  and  while  we  doubt  ourselves, 
and  while  we  may  distrust  one  another,  and  while  at 
times  all  things  seem  unstable  and  unsatisfactory,  O  save 
us  from  that  last  and  worst  disaster,  distrusting  thee ; 
may  our  faith  in  God  be  immutable,  and  even  when  we 
are  so  guilty  that  we  cannot  look  up,  at  least  may  wo 
be  able  to  bow  the  head,  to  smite  upon  our  breasts,  and 
say,  "  God  be  merciful  to  us  sinners."  And  if  we  dare  not 
sit  by  thee  in  thy  throne,  if  we  dare  not  come  to  thee  as 
children  to  the  knees  of  their  parents,  and  look  up,  at 
least  may  we  sit  down  at  thy  feet,  and  find  there  that 
we  are  sitting  at  the  feet  of  a  Redeemer,  pitying,  gentle, 
forgiving,  all-succoring.  We  pray  that  none  may  be 
discouraged ;  may  every  one  accept  his  life-work ;  may 
every  one,  undismaj^ed  and  undaunted,  go  forward  from 
good  to  better,  from  strength  to  strength.  We  beseech 
of  thee  that  thou  will  make  us  useful ;  while  we  are 
seeking  for  our  own  growth,  may  we  not  treasure  up 
strength  gained,  or  experiences,  or  joys,  for  our  own 
selfish  using,  but  as  we  receive  so  may  we  give.     May 


DEPENDENCE.  -  161 

our  whole  life  be  a  life  of  seed-sowing ;  may  our  whole 
life  be  a  work  for  God  and  for  man. 

We  pray  that  thou  wilt  bless  all  the  churches  that  name 
the  name  of  Christ  in  this  city.  Wilt  thou  strengthen  them 
to  do  thy  work  ;  redeem  all  that  are  called  by  thy  name, 
and  make  them  lovely.  May  thy  servants  that  preach 
the  gospel  be  inspired  of  God  to  preach  it ;  may  the 
witness  of  thy  Spirit  go  with  the  preaching  of  the  truth. 
Wilt  thou  search  the  hearts  of  thy  servants  as  with  a 
lighted  candle  ;  reveal  to  them  their  true  nature,  and  the 
significance  of  their  whole  life.  We  pray  that  thou  wilt 
go  forth  through  our  whole  land,  deepening  the  founda- 
tions of  piety,  raising  up  greater  zeal  for  God,  more  purity 
of  intention  and  of  life,  and  filling  this  whole  land  with 
the  power  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ.  May  we  be  saved 
from  a  dead-letter  gospel ;  may  we  be  saved  from  the 
formalism  of  un vital  institutions  ;  may  we  be  saved  from 
the  timidity  of  men ;  may  we  be  filled  with  a  sacred,  a 
holy,  a  burning  zeal  of  Christ,  and  may  love  temper  it, 
and  restrain  it,  and  only  that,  and  so  may  this  land  see 
the  salvation  of  our  God.  Pity  the  condition  of  the 
world  ;  make  haste,  thou  that  lingerest  not,  but  seemest 
to  linger,  because  thou  livest  so  long.  Make  haste,  w^e 
beseech  of  thee,  even  by  reason  of  our  infirmity,  for  we 
wait  for  thee,  and  our  eyes  fail  for  thy  salvation.  O  kin- 
dle the  morning,  then,  and  bid  the  light  advance,  and 
the  glory  of  the  nations,  that  we  may  take  hold  upon  thy  • 
promises,  and  interpret  them  in  the  light  of  growing 
events,  until  the  day  shall  come  to  be  seen  by  us,  either 
from  earth  or  from  heaven,  when  the  glory  of  the  Lord 
shall  fill  the  earth  as  the  waters  fill  the  sea.  And  to  thy 
name  shall  be  the  praise,  Father,  Sou,  and  Spirit,  ever- 
more. 


CLOSING  PRAYER. 

Our  Father,  wilt  thou  add  thy  blessing  to  the  word  spoken.  Grant 
that  it  may  do  good  to  us  all.  May  it  encourage  us  to  undertake  a  release 
from  evil.  May  it  encourage  us  to  undertake  the  assailing  of  habits  long 
formed.  May  we  not  be  discouraged  because  the  labor  of  the  way  before 
us  is  so  great,  or  because  of  past  failures.  And  grant,  0  Lord  God,  that 
we  may  look  up  at  the  infiniteness  of  thy  patience.  Thou  art  long-suf- 
fering, thou  art  wonderful,  and  full  of  graciousness ;  and  we  pray  that 
we  may  take  heart,  not  from  what  we  can  do,  but  from  that  great  sum- 
mer which  shines  and  distills  tlie  divine  influence  upon  us  perpetually. 
Grant,  0  thou  divine  Light  and  "Warmth,  thou  Sun  of  righteousness,  that 
thy  beams  may  shine  with  cheer  and  nutriment  upon  all  that  are  here 
present  to-day.  May  there  be  many  that  shall  be  called  by  the  goodness 
of  God  to  repentance.  May  there  be  many  who  have  been  seeking  thee, 
that  shall  girt  their  loins  with  fresh  alacrity.  May  there  be  many  who 
are  discouraged  in  the  way  and  are  lagging  that  shall  be  gathered  up,  and 
that  shall  begin  to  work  again  with  new  zeal.  Eevive  thy  work  in  our 
hearts,  and  in  all  the  churches  throughout  the  land.  We  ask  it  for  the 
Redeemer's  sake.     Amen, 


GOD'S  GOODNESS   TO  THE  ILL-DESERYHsTG. 


AN  EVENINa  SERVICE. 


While  we  are  walking  in  darkness,  thou,  O  onr  light 
and  life,  art  in  the  nn clouded  heaven.  With  us  are 
storms ;  with  thee  is  everlasting  peace.  Breathe  forth  of 
thy  life  and  peace  upon  us,  that  we  may  be  undisturbed 
by  fear ;  that  we  may  be  kept  quiet  amidst  all  those  con- 
tests and  collisions  which  disturb  men ;  that  we  may  not 
be  swung  to  and  fro  as  the  pendulum  vibrating  inces- 
santly. May  we  have  that  peace  that  passeth  all  under- 
standing, Vv'hich  no  sorrow  or  anxiety  can  long  disturb, 
which  no  greed,  or  avarice,  or  discontent,  can  take  away. 
May  we  feel  the  warmth  of  thy  love,  the  certainty  of  thy 
promises,  and  the  glory  of  that  wealth  v/hich  is  ours 
because  we  are  thine — the  nearness  of  the  promised  land 
into  which  we  may  almost  look,  and  upon  which  we 
shall  ere  long  step. 

Grant  that  we  may  not  be  puffed  up,  as  other  men  are  ; 
nor,  as  they  are,  cast  down  and  dejected  because  our  pur- 
poses are  ended  and  our  way  is  turned  upside  down. 
For,  are  we  not  included  by  all  the  promises  of  God, 
which  are  yea  and  amen  ?  Hast  thou  not  circled  us  around 
about  with  bands  that  are  stronaer  than  walls  of  stone, 
and  sharper  than  the  very  fire  itself?  Hast  thou  not 
made  us  the  objects  of  thine  own  heart's  desire,  and  have 
we  not  the  love  of  God  and  the  faithfulness  of  God  as 


164  eeecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

pledges  for  our  safety;  for  our  conduct  through  this 
world  and  our  everlasting  safety  in  the  world  to  come  ? 
Since  we  were  born,  upon  what  have  our  sorrows  stum- 
bled? What  have  been  the  sources  of  our  sorrow  and 
growth?  Mostly  but  vain  desires,  but  conflicts  of  pride, 
but  the  manifestations  of  selfishness.  How  have  we 
found  our  lower  natures  checking  us,  when  we  have  been 
by  tliy  power,  by  thy  grace,  and  by  thy  truth,  lifted  up 
into  the  realm  of  our  religious  feelings,  and  so  brought 
near  to  thee !  Thou  evermore  hast  made  us  walk  upon 
all  trouble,  and  keep  it  beneath  us,  to  despise  the  vain 
tilings  of  this  life,  and  yet  to  count  it  all  joy  when  we 
fall  into  trials  and  temptations,  to  rejoice  even  in  afflic- 
tions— to  sing  at  midnight,  and  walk  in  the  light,  though 
our  lamp  had  gone  out. 

Thou,  O  God,  canst  work  wonderfully  in  the  hearts  of 
those  that  put  their  trust  in  thee.  To  this  we  are  thy 
witnesses  ;  we  bear  testimony  to  thy  faithfulness,  to  thy 
gentleness,  and  to  thy  power  for  good,  succoring  and  en- 
couraging us  every  day — yet  punishing  us  in  thy  faith- 
fulness when  rods  and  stripes  are  the  best  medicine. 
Thou  art  not  tender  to  indulge  us  ;  thou  art  not  stern  and 
just  to  distress  and  destroy  us ;  thou  art  tempering  thy 
justice  by  mercy,  and  thou  art  by  love  and  mercy,  by 
justice  and  by  judgment,  by  all  the  motives  of  hope  and 
of  fear,  by  commands  and  by  persuasions,  through  nature, 
through  the  daily  progress  of  our  lives  in  society,  through 
all  the  influences  of  truth  upon  our  souls,  in  our  medi- 
tating hours,  and  in  our  Sabbaths  of  rest,  by  ten  thou- 
sand instrumentalities  in  all  periods  of  time,  thou  art 
educating  us  and  preparing  us  for  our  residence  in  thine 
own  immediate  presence ;  for  thou  hast  made  us  thine 
own,  and  it  is  known  in  heaven  that  wo  are  coming 


god's  goodxess  to  the  ill-deseeyixg.  165 

tliitlier,  and  tliou  wilt  yet  present  113  before  the  tlirone 
of  thy  Fatlier,  spotless,  without  any  bieinish,  or  wrinkle, 
or  any  such  thine;. 

And  novv^  we  bless  thy  name,  we  laud  and  magnify 
thee ;  thou  art  the  high  and  the  holy  God,  thou  art  of 
purer  eyes  tlian  to  behold  iniquity,  but  blessed  be  thy 
Qame  thou  hadst  rather  heal  than  punish  11s.  We  bless 
and  praise  thy  goodness,  thy  benignity,  thy  patience,  thy 
lenity,  thy  justice,  and  thy  sparing  mercy,  which  have 
made  our  lives  rich  and  our  hearts  so  hopeful.  Bless,  we 
beseech  thee,  all  in  thy  presence.  Thou  knowest  what 
are  the  thoughts  and  meditations  of  them  that  come  forth 
before  thee;  thou  knowest  what  ones  of  them  are  good. 
Meet  every  heart,  not  according  to  its  petition,  which  is 
of  ignorance,  but  according  to  thy  glorious  knowledge. 
Think  for  us  better  than  we  can  think  for  ourselves ;  feel 
for  us  more  truly  and  worthily  than  we  know  how  to  feel 
for  ourselves,  and  then  do  exceeding  abundantly  more 
for  us  than  we  can  ask  or  think. 

Bless  those  that  are  not  gathered  with  us.  If  any  are 
absent  from  home,  spare  their  lives,  prosper  them  in  law- 
ful errands,  and  bring  them  back  to  their  own  house  and 
to  their  sanctuary  again.  Bless  any  that  have  been 
abroad  and  come  again  with  thanksgivings,  praising,  and 
blessing  God  for  sparing  mercy.  Are  any  sick?  Sut 
what  is  sichness  hut  God's  raedlcine^  and  then  hest  when 
it  is  mortal  !  We  beseech  thee  that  thou  wilt  cheer  and 
comfort  any  that  are  languishing ;  give  them  visions  of 
the  far-coming  land,  and  may  all  of  us  count  ourselves 
strangers  in  tliis  world,  then  only  at  home  when  we  rest 
with  God.  Help  those  that  bear  burdens,  to  be  patient 
and  to  be  strong  under  their  burdens.  Help  those  that 
are  grieved  and  wounded  of  heart,  to  look  up  unto  him, 


166  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

wliose  hands  and  side  were  pierced  for  tliem,  and  learn 
of  liim. 

Grant  to  every  one,  we  entreat,  the  mercies  they  need  for 
deliverance,  and  the  mercies  that  they  need  for  riches  in 
Christ;  and  when  we  shall  have  passed  through  the 
scenes  of  this  mortal  life  and  draw  near  to  the  celestial 
gate,  may  it  stand  open  ready  for  us,  and  may  we  see  a 
choral  host  waiting  to  give  ns  an  abundant  entrance  into 
heaven.  May  none  of  us  or  of  ours  knock  at  the  celes- 
tial gate  and  hear  from  thee  the  fatal  words,  "  I  never 
knew  you,  depart  from  me  ye  that  work  iniquity ;"  but 
may  we  stand  ransomed,  purified,  and  saved  in  thy 
presence,  and  we  will  give  to  the  Father,  the  Son,  and 
the  Holy  Spirit  the  praise  of  our  salvation  forever  and 
for  evermore.     Amen. 


GOD  THE   ONLY  OBJECT  OF  TRUST. 


Sdbhath  Morning. 

IM  VOCATION. 

Our  heavenly  Father  1  Already  thou  hast  blessed  us  and  anticipated 
our  asking.  We  recognize  thine  hand  that  opens  the  morning;  we 
recognize  thy  bounty  that  gives  to  us  the  rest  which  this  day  is  wont  to 
bring.  And  now  we  are  gathered  in  this  appointed  place,  which  has  been 
made  dear  to  us  by  thy  grace  in  days  past,  that  again  we  may  receive  the 
Holy  Ghost — known  by  all  desires  inspired  by  thee,  by  wholesome  in- 
struction received  by  its  ministration,  by  all  joy  and  peace  in  believing. 
Wilt  thou  tiierefcre  minister  to  us  thine  own  self.  Thou  art  life,  and 
they  that  possess  thee  have  every  thing  that  life  can  give.  Maj"- the 
reading  of  thy  word,  may  the  singing  of  thy  praises,  may  the  ministry  of 
prayer,  may  the  speech  of  instruction  or  meditation  of  truth  all  profit 
our  souls  in  glorifying  thee.     We  ask  it  for  the  Eedeemer's  sake.     Amen. 

BEFORE  SERMON. 

Thou  art  the  eternal  God.  Before  thee  there  is  none 
else :  no  authority  higher  than  thine ;  no  power  like 
nnto  thine ;  no  wisdom  that  is  not  borrowed  from  thee. 
Thou  art  the  center  and  the  source  of  existence,  and  we 
rejoice  that  we  may  believe,  since  in  thee  we  live  and 
move  and  have  our  being,  that  thou  art  full  of  goodness, 
that  love  is  thy  nature,  that  all  thine  administration  is 
for  the  purpose  of  infinite  love. 

"We  are  not  wandering  in  darkness  and  forge tfulness ; 
we  are  not  cast  into  the  midst  of  confusions  and  undi- 
rected turmoils  of  life.     Thou  sittest  regent :  all  tilings 


1G8  BEECHEr's   PULriT   DEVOTIONS. 

are  naked  and  open  before  thee,  and  thou  beholdest  the 
end  from  the  beginning.  In  thy  hand  the  most  complex 
things  are  simple ;  the  strangest  things  to  our  thought 
are  plain  to  thine.  Thou  wilt  restrain  the  wrath  of  man, 
and  cause  the  remainder  of  wratli  to  praise  thee ;  and 
the  thing's  that  run  adverse,  all  those  causes  which  con- 
flict  in  time,  we  shall  behold  them  from  the  other  side  ; 
and  in  the  order  of  eternity  all  things  shall  then  appear 
wise,  nothing  fugitive,  nothing  erratic. 

It  is  our  joy  that  we  may  believe  thus  in  thee,  O  thou 
God  of  our  salvation,  that  art  higher  than  all  men,  than 
princes,  than  kings :  thou  art  thyself  the  Lord  of  lords, 
and  the  King  of  kings.  All  things  are  beneath  thee,  not 
that  they  may  be  trampled  down,  but  that  thou  mayest 
look  benignantly  upon  them  from  thine  infinite  excel- 
lence, from  the  height  of  thy  glory,  and  conserve  them. 
We  believe  that  it  is  in  thine  heart  to  bring  forth 
unspeakable  good,  transcending  far  the  measure  of  our 
thought  or  any  tracing  of  our  imagination.  Nor  do  we 
desire  to  guide  thee  by  our  thoughts,  nor  prescribe  in 
our  own  feeling  the  way  that  thou  shouldst  come.  We 
simply  desire  to  look  up  and  adore — to  believe,  to  trust, 
to  love,  to  obey. 

O  Lord,  when  we  look  upon  the  face  of  things,  and 
attempt  to  judge  thee  by  sight,  how  quickl}^  are  we  re- 
buked by  the  darkness  and  the  confusion  of  our  own 
minds — even  the  things  most  familiar  to  us  deceive  us, 
even  the  tilings  most  common  are  inexplicable.  All  the 
ways  of  life  are  convoluted ;  all  the  affairs  of  men  are 
liable  to  such  disasters  and  apparent  minglings,  that  we 
cannot  understand  the  course  of  things.  We  read  thy 
providence  in  the  history  of  nations  with  amazement;  w^e 
behold  the  cuiTent  affairs  of  life  with  awe  and  wonder; 


GOD   THE    OlfLY    OBJECT    OF   TEUST.  169 

pjid  if  we  were  to  establisb.  our  faitli  in  the  destiny  of 
man,  in  the  perfection  of  the  race,  in  the  growth  of 
truth  and  purity,  on  that  which  has  been  and  that  which 
is,  how  should  we  falter  at  every  step !  We  must  live 
by  faith  and  not  by  sight. 

We  rejoice  that  our  God  is  so  great,  that  it  is  no  im- 
peachment of  our  wisdom  to  say  that  we  cannot  under- 
stand his  ways.  If  thou  wert  to  be  understood  easily, 
then  thou  would st  be  but  little  more  than  a  man  ;  and 
as  thou  art  the  God  of  the  universe  and  the  Father  of 
ages,  and  we  desire  to  understand  our  relative  place, 
and  to  know  that  thou  art  moving  upon  the  spheres  of 
eternity,  and  not  upon  the  lines  of  this  globe  and  of  our 
eras  of  time,  we  desire  to  take  thee  as  the  Lord  God 
Almighty,  comprehensive  over  all'  conception,  endless, 
dateless.  Before  we  can  send  back  a  thought,  thy  gov- 
ernment was  supreme ;  from  periods  beyond  all  concep- 
tion, thou  still  wert  the  eternal  God ;  and  to  the  end  thou 
shalt  be  forever  unfolding  by  thy  works  what  thou  art, 
forever  endlessly  creating  and  sustaining  and  never 
exhausted. 

And  we  desire,  O  Lord,  to  be  so  in  sympathy  with 
thee,  that  we  may  hold  on  for  ever  with  thee,  though 
born  of  yesterday  never  to  die.  We  rejoice  that  we  are 
to  be  thy  children  and  of  thy  household,  and  that  no  dis- 
aster can  come  to  us  so  long  as  thou  art  supreme.  *'  ]^o 
weapon  formed  against  thee,  shall  prosper,"  thou  sayest 
unto  thy  people,  and  we  believo  that  it  is  so,  and  that  it 
shall  be  so';  and  while  we  cannot  understand  the 
history  of  thy  church  upon  earth,  nor  fully  comprehend 
the  history  of  nations,  nor  understand  the  providences  of 
the  times  in  which  we  live,  nor  the  influences  that  are 
operating  upon  human  affairs,  we  do  understand  that 


IVO  beechek's  pulpit  devotions. 

thy  kingdom  may  be  established  in  every  heart,  and 
that  while  there  is  confusion  without,  peace  there 
may  be  within ;  and  while  we  cannot  understand 
thee  on  the  earth,  we  can  understand  thee  in  our  own 
60uls. 

And  now,  we  beseech  thee  that  every  one  of  us  may 
attempt  to  build  up  the  world,  by  building  so  much  of 
it  as  lies  in  our  own  character,  in  our  own  development. 
May  we  feel  that  it  is  ours  to  put  one  more  fair  stone  on 
the  walls  of  Jerusalem  on  earth,  and  thus  aid  in  perfect- 
ing this  growing  structure.  May  we,  therefore,  become 
more  conscientious  and  equitable,  more  pure  and  moral, 
more  truthful  and  truth-loving ;  may  we  be  clothed 
with  love  as  with  a  garment ;  may  we  have  an  active 
and  vital  sympathy  with  thee  ;  may  we  learn  to  discern 
thy  ways  by  a  holy  intuition.  May  we  know  what  is 
right  and  what  is  wrong  among  disputed  things  ;  never 
seek  to  be  less  than  that  which  is  already  believed  to  be 
right,  but  always  strive  to  overmeasure  and  rise  to  yet 
nobler  conceptions  of  rectitude.  May  we  make  justice 
more  just,  purity  more  pure,  and  love  yet  more  refined  ; 
and  may  we  never  seek  to  shield  ourselves  by  excuses, 
nor  to  hide  behind  weaknesses,  and  variously  explain 
delinquencies. 

We  pray  that  thou  wilt  remember  every  one  of  thy 
people  before  thee  in  their  special  and  common  wants. 
Be  near  to  those  that  are  passing  the  last  days  of  their 
lives  upon  earth,  that  are  glorifying  God  with  the  going 
down  of  their  sun.  Let  them  compose  their  minds  with 
peace  and  with  joy,  and  grant  that  they  may  by  antici- 
pation take  hold  of  the  rest  which  remaineth  for  the 
people  of  God ;  and  we  pray  that  their  testimony  and 
example  and  encouragement  to  the  young,  may  be  such 


GOD  THE   ONLY   OBJECT   OF   TEtJST.  I7l 

as  to  make  them  evermore  examples  and  leaders  in  the 
host  of  Grod. 

Kemember  those  upon  whom  are  the  burdens  of  life. 
O  make  them  rest  who' carry  the  yoke  ;  and  those  who 
are  in  the  midst  of  suffering,  and  who  from  day  to 
day  are  vehemently  exercised  with  various  duties,  may 
they  be  strong  in  the  Lord,  diligent  in  business,  fervent 
in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord.  May  they  learn  how  to  serve 
thee  by  their  daily  duties ;  may  they  know  how  to  look 
upon  their  secular  affairs  as  a  part  of  that  wliich  God 
requires  at  their  hand ;  and  may  they  be  in  the  discharge 
of  those  things  so  imbued  with  justice,  with  truth,  and 
with  love,  that  it  shall  be  a  perpetual  religious  service. 
Thus  may  they  never  have  occasion  to  pass  from  the 
sanctuary  to  the  world,  but  may  the  world  itself  become 
their  sanctuary,  and  their  altar  everywhere,  with  their 
God  forever  present  with  them. 

We  beseech  of  thee  that  thou  wilt  look  upon  those 
that  are  growing  up  into  life  and  are  beginning  now  to 
take  hold  upon  manhood.  O  let  them  make  no  fatal 
missteps,  lest  they  be  dashed  in  pieces  from  the  very 
beginning ;  let  them  not  listen  to  false  teachings ; 
especially  may  they  not  listen  to  their  guilty  passions, 
or  be  misled  as  to  faith  and  truth  by  the  suggestion 
of  corrupt  hearts,  but  may  they  from  the  morning  of 
life  be  consecrated  in  all  .truth  and  honor  to  the  cause 
of  Jesus  Christ.  May  they  take  care  of  each  other,  and 
may  the  young  care  for  the  young.  Bless,  we  beseech 
thee,  our  children.  Thou  hast  made  us  to  know  many 
things  by  reason  of  them;  they  have  taught  us  more 
than  we  have  ever  taught  them. 

We  thank  thee  that  thus  thou  hast  opened  our  hearts 
to  know  the  great  things  out  of  thy  law  of  love;  that  thy 


172  eeeciier's  pulpit  devotions. 

word  lias  its  perpetual  ministry  in  our  household,  and 
that  thou  hast  united  us  together  as  husbands  and  wives, 
parents  and  children— that  in  our  own  daily  versatile 
experience  we  might  understand  the  word  of  God  to  us 
who  are  the  children  of  God,  of  God  who  is  the  Father 
of  every  living  creature.  We  pray  that  thou  wilt  help 
us  to  rear  our  children  as  God  would  rear  us,  teaching 
and  taught,  receiving  from  them  much  by  tlieir  silent 
example,  and  yielding  much  to  them  by  our  own  ex- 
ample. May  we  be  faithful  to  our  trust ;  may  we  not 
be  misled  to  weakness  through  overfondness  of  affec- 
tion for  them,  but  may  our  love  be  chastened ;  may 
we  learn  to  take  them  in  the  light  of  the  eternal  world, 
and  behold  their  immortality  even  in  their  infancy. 

Sanctify  the  family  ;  and  grant,  we  beseech  of  thee,  that 
it  m'.y  be  a  gate  of  heaven  to  evevj  one  of  us.  Bless  us 
in  our  association  one  with  another ;  may  we  have  more 
and  more  noble  conceptions  of  the  relations  of  fiiend- 
ship.  May  we  every  day  cleanse  and  purify  ourselves 
from  all  the  vulgarities,  from  all  the  selfishness,  and  from 
all  the  meanness  to  which  we  are  liable  by  our  contact 
with  this  world.  May  we  get  higher  conceptions  than 
thos^  which  we  have  of  duty  one  toward  another,  and  of 
all  the  duties  of  aifection  and  of  true  friendship.  May 
there  spring  from  the  heart  of  Christ  in  the  heart  of 
every  one  of  his  children  more  and  more  nobility  of 
pui'pose,  more  and  more  heroism  of  conception,  more 
and  more  manliness  of  life. 

Are  there  any  that  are  looking  wistfully  into  this 
sanctuary  ?  are  there  any  that  do  not  believe  the 
things  that  make  us  supremely  joyful  ?  O  Lord  we 
beseech  thee  that  they  may  understand,  not  by  the 
power  of  reflection,  but  may  they  be  taught  that  true 


GOD  THE  ONLY  OBJECT  OF  TRUST.  173 

wisdom  is  in  experience,  and  may  they  seek  tlie  tilings 
that  are  pure  as  God  interprets  purity — things  that  are 
wise  as  thou  dost  interpret  wisdom — things  that  are 
generous,  noble,  and  good  ;  and  from  some  experience  in 
these  things  may  they  begin  to  learn  their  truth,  and  so 
through  the  realizations  of  love  may  they  come  to  the 
conceptions  of  truth.  And  we  beseech  thee  thou  wilt 
fulfill  thy  kind  depigns  and  purposes  toward  all  mankind, 
hastening  the  day  when  men  shall  have  their  reason  so 
high  that  they  may  cast  off  prejudice  and  selfishness  and 
all  that  is  hateful  and  divisive ;  and  may  all  the  earth 
begin  to  find  the  drawings  of  love ;  and  all  men  begin  to 
help  mankind.  May  all  the  earth  begin  to  bear  witness 
that  God  is  coming  in  his  final  power  to  give  ripeness' 
to  the  race ;  and  may  all  things  that  are  offensive,  and 
selfish,  and  proud,  and  hateful,  and  cruel,  begin  to  sink  in 
power,  and  all  things  that  are  refined  in  wisdom,  good- 
ness, love,  and  purity,  begin  to  gain  front  and  strength. 
O  hasten,  thou  that  from  on  high  art  the  God  of 
battles,  not  of  clashing  battles  of  steel  and  iron,  but  thou 
that  dost  contend  in  the  heavens  and  upon  the  earth,  and 
round  about  the  universe,  in  that  great  and  universal 
conflict  between  good  and  evil — ^make  haste  that  the 
final  glory  may  be  consummated,  that  the  earth  may  rest 
as  a  ship  long  tempest-tossed  and  no't  comforted — rest 
when  at  length  it  finds  its  peaceful  harbor.  O  bring 
this  world  at  last  to  the  bosom  of  Christ,  ajid  there,  may 
it  find  that  anchorage  and  peace  which  it  has  so  long 
sought  in  vain  in  its  course.  And  all  tlie  glory  of  this 
victory,  and  all  the  glory  of  our  own  salvation  therein, 
we  v/ill  give  to  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Spirit. 
Amen. 


CLOSING    PRAYER. 

Our  Father,  wilt  thou  bless  the  word  of  truth  spoken;  let  it  not  leave 
us  barren  and  profitless ;  may  it  do  us  good  in  the  inward  man ;  conse- 
crate the  fountain  of  feeling,  and  educate  the  thoughts,  motives,  and  feel- 
ings. Deliver  us,  we  beseech  thee,  from  arrogance  and  aU  imcharitableness ; 
make  us  temperate  and  unfeignedlj  kind  and  forbearing  to  all  men,  only 
exacting  and  unrelenting  toward  ourselves.  Eless  those  that  are  in 
darkness;  bless  those  that  are  mistaken,  and  committing  through  their 
own  sins  and  mistakes  great  iniquities.  Turn  them  back  from  their  folly 
and  give  them  that  illumination  which  thou  hast  been  pleased  to  pour 
down  round  about  us.  "We  beseech  thee  that  thou  wilt  grant  to  this  city, 
to  the  great  city,  and  to  this  nation,  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Season 
men's  thoughts  with  divine  grace,  and  overrule  their  counsels ;  may 
wicked  men  find  themselves  shorn  of  influence,  and  may  wise  men  be 
called  of  God  to  lead  forth  this  people  in  the  ways  of  righteousness.  We 
ask  that  thou  wilt  exercise  the  plenitude  of  that  sovereignty  which  is 
with  tliee  in  aU  the  world.  0,  grant  that  nations  may  be  reformed,  and 
that  they  may  become  civilized  and  exalted ;  and  that  Clirist  may  see 
of  the  travail  of  his  soul  and  be  satisfied;  and  to  thy  name  shall  be  the 
praise,  Father,  Son,  anij  Spirit.     Amen. 


PRECIOUSIsrESS  OF  THE  SABBATH. 


Sabbath  Morning. 

INVOCATION. 

We  implore  thy  blessing,  our  heavenly  Father,  that  all  the  things  which 
we  do  in  thy  house  may  be  divinely  inspired  and  guided.  Open  thy  word 
that  it  may  be  as  the  opening  morning  upon  the  night,  that  the  clear 
shining  may  drive  the  darkness  of  our  worldly  thoughts  and  cares  away. 
Touch  our  hearts  that  all  that  is  within  us  may  rise  up  and  rejoice  tliis 
morning  before  Ihee.  May  we  be  inspired  with  a  spirit  of  union,  and  find  it 
easy  to  say,  "Our  Father."  Aid  us  while  we  sing  together,  in  fellowship 
one  with  another  and  in  worship  of  thee.  Help  us  to  speak  from  thy 
truth  and  to  accept  its  exposition.  Help  us  in  the  worship  we  offer  thee 
in  the  silence  of  our  thoughts  or  in  our  social  relations  at  home.  Bless 
this  Sabbath  day  wholly,  in  all  its  parts  and  in  aU  its  blessed  joy  and 
pleasure.     We  ask  it  for  Christ's  sake.     Amea. 

BEFORE   SERMON. 

TVe  beseech  thee,  O  God,  to  shine  upon  us  with  that 
divine  light  which  iUumines  within,  which  gives  thought 
and  aiFection,  and  power  to  seize  upon  higher  truths ;  for 
we  are  living  in  a  world  which  touches  us  on  every  side 
through  our  senses' and  by  the  senses,  and  we  need  to 
have  the  power  of  God  to  develop  that  faith  in  us  by 
which  we  shall  recognize  the  truth  that  does  not  belong 

to  ourselves. 

It  is  good  for  us,  O  Lord,  that  thou  hast  cast  this 
island  in  the  stream,  and  builded  the  Sabbath  all  around 
wherein  we  stand  and  are  secure.     Ko  sound  of  secular 


176  beecher's  pulpit  devotion's. 

occupation  disturbs  us ;  we  are  at  rest.  And  now  we 
lift  up  our  unwonted  thoughts  into  themes  which  the 
week  disallows,  and  have  leisure  of  meditation,  aud  can 
draw  very  near  to  thee  and  abide  under  the  shadow  of 
thy  wing.  J^ow  we  are  no  longer  chafed  and  fretted  by 
care ;  we  are  no  longer  heated  by  rivalries  one  with 
another ;  we  can  look  out  as  from  a  window  and  see  the 
storm  of  worldly  things  out  of  which  we  have  come,  and 
pass  judgment  upon  them,  and  measure  again  our 
thoughts  and  our  joys — yea,  search  into  the  deep  places 
of  our  heart  and  know  our  own  selves  before  thee. 

ISTow  we  stand  in  the  sanctuary,  and  we  can  measure 
all  things  by  the  golden  reed  thereof.  We  are  per- 
mitted to  judge  now  what  is  the  real  worth  of 
pleasure ;  we  are  permitted  now  to  judge  as  before  God 
all  the  various  experiences  of  affection.  Thou  dost  now 
make  it  possible  for  us  to  pass  the  line  upon  all  our 
worldly  avocations,  and  see  them  somewhat  as  we  shall 
see  them  in  the  judgment.  And  thou  dost  with  attrac- 
tion draw  our  earliest  affections  up ;  now  thou  art  reveal- 
ing to  us  thy  reconciled  face ;  now  thou  art  making 
Christ  Jesus  to  di'aw  very  near,  the  chief  among  ten 
thousand,  the  one  altogether  lovely.  Now  thou  art 
interpreting  to  us  his  faithfulness,  his  patience,  his 
wonder  of  gentleness  ;  thou  art  already  breathing  upon 
us  the  spirit  of  adoption,  and  our  hearts  begin  to  repeat 
that  sacred  name,  Our  Father,  and  we  rejoice  in  this 
precious  property  of  thee.  All  things  are  ours  since 
thou  art  ours ;  and  we  rejoice  that  we  are  so  com- 
prehended in  thee  that  we  need  not  look  for  reasons  of 
our  salvation  to  any  merit  in  ourselves,  to  any  reason 
within  us  why  thou  shouldst  regard  us.  We  are  poverty- 
stricken,  but  thou  findest  in  the  royalty  of  thine  own 


PEECIOTJSNESS    OF    THE    SABBATH.  177 

nature  reasons  of  loving  by  whicli  we  are  buoyed  up  and 
saved ;  so  that  we  pray  for  mercy  for  Clirist's  sake,  since 
in  bini  is  fullness  of  generosity,  of  love  unquencliable 
and  unfatbomable — the  height  and  the  depth,  the  length 
and  the  breadth  whereof  surpass  all  understanding. 

Indeed,  we  cramot  understand  why  thou,  O  sacred 
heart,  shouldst  Uove  us,  and  what  is  the  nature  and 
royalty  of  God  that  can  love  unlovely  things,  and  what 
is  the  natui^e  of  that  being  before  whom  ages  pass  leaving 
neither  weariness  nor  marks,  the  same  yesterday,  to-day, 
and  forever — unchanged  and  unchangeable.  We  can- 
not understand  the  fullness,  though  we  do  perceive  some- 
what of  the  glory,  and  we  rejoice  in  it,  and  we  glory  in 
our  God.  We  glory  not  in  our  own  strength,  nor 
because  wealth  has  increased,  nor  in  earthly  honors  and 
pleasures,  nor  because  we  have  builded  our  house  and 
stored  it  full  and  substantially  withal ;  vie  glory  not  in 
men's  opinion,  nor  in  all  the  fruitions  of  human  enter- 
prise. 

We  glory  in  the  Lord.  It  is,  O  God,  in  thy  strength 
that  surrounds  us ;  it  is  in  thy  thoughtfulness  that  never 
misses  an  opportunity  of  good  ;  it  is  in  thy  faithfulness, 
new  every  morning,  fresh  every  moment,  and  more  in 
number  than  the  drops  of  the  morning  dew.  We  rejoice 
in  the  wonder  of  thy  heart,  that  hath  taught  us  to  love, 
and  that  shall  teach  all  created  things  yet  to  love.  We 
rejoice  in  thee,  and  glory  in  thee,  and  are  strong  in  thee, 
and  are  weak  only  when  we  forget  thee  and  go  back  to 
trust  ourselves.  And  now  we  beseech  thee  that  we  may 
not  pervert  this  precious  truth  of  our  dependence  upon 
thee  to  supineness,  indifference,  and  indolence.  May  it 
rather  inspire  us  with  a  more  hearty  courage  and  resolu- 
tion of  activitv.     Since  thou  wilt  work  in  us  to  will  and 


178  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

to  do,  may  we  work  out  our  own  salvation  with  fear  and 
trembling. 

If  there  are  any  in  thy  presence,  those  that  are  in  fear 
and  trembling,  thou  O  God,  canst  quiet  the  quaking 
heart  as  easily  as  thou  dost  the  storm  and  the  rusliings 
of  the  waves.  All  things  are  possible  with  thee.  We 
beseech  of  thee  to  take  to  thyself  to-day«the  unquiet,  the 
disturbed,  those  that  suffer  in  mind,  and  speak  those 
words  of  consolation  to  them  which  they  need ;  for  thou 
knowest  who  sufier  from  long  depression,  who  suffer 
from  the  vexatious  burdens  of  secular  things ;  thou 
knowest  who  seem  to  themselves  unfortunate  in  life,  cast 
out  and  neglected — those  whose  purposes  are  crossed,  and 
whose  very  aims  and  ends  of  life  seem  to  them  subverted. 
Thou  canst  make  them  feel  that  they  are  dear  to  thee, 
and  that  they  possess  thee — that  in  thee  they  have  all 
joy  and  all.  wealth. 

We  beseech  thee  that  thou  wilt  draw  near  to  those 
that  are  in  trouble,  that  they  may  not  be  alarmed  by  it, 
nor  think  that  any  strange  thing  hath  surprised  them. 
May  they  behold  themselves  initiated  by  their  sorrow  into 
the  true  brotherhood  of  the  great  human  family ;  yet  may 
they  perceive  that  they  are  united  to  Christ,  the  head  of 
men  and  the  captain  of  salvation,  made  perfect  through 
suffering  ;  and  may  they  rejoice  to  have  suffering,  if 
through  its  ministration  they  may  learn  more  and  more 
of  faith,  of  patience,  of  hope,  of  submission,  and  of  love. 

We  pray  that  thou  wilt  deliver  us  from  worldly-mind- 
edness,  from  the  contaminations  of  those  things  which 
w^e  must  needs  handle.  Keep  us,  we  beseech  of  thee,  from 
growing  sordid  under  those  duties  which  we  must  needs 
perform.  May  we  watch  our  thoughts,  lest  we  should 
grow  selfish  by  prosperity.     May  we  seek  to  walk  humbly 


PRECIOUSNESS    OF   THE    SABBATH.  l79 

before  God,  and  not  fail  to  recognize  that  spiritual  con- 
nection between  tlij  tliougbt  and  blessing  and  our  suc- 
cess ;  and  so  may  we  desire  every  day  to  go  back  from 
all  our  outgoings,  all  our  blossomings  and  fruit-bearings, 
to  tliee  that  art  the  root  from  which  we  spring. 

O  Lord  God,  we  pray  that  thou  wilt  bless  the  young ; 
grant  to  those  that  have  been  consecrated  by  their 
parents  in  the  midst  of  this  household  of  faith,  that  they 
may  not  be  forgotten  in  our  prayers.  May  we  J)ray  for 
each  other's  households ;  may  we  love  each  other's  chil- 
dren ;  may  we  have  sympathy  in  the  care  and  burden  of 
their  rearing,  and  help  each  other ;  and  may  we  as  the 
Church  of  Christ  remember  the  covenant  implied,  the 
helpfulness  and  sympathy  implied  by  the  offering  of 
children  before  God  in  public.  "We  beseech  thee  that 
those  who  receive  the  sacred  symbol  of  consecration  in 
public,  may  not  forget  what  faith  their  parents  have  for 
them ;  and,  as  they  grow  up  to  years  of  discretion,  may 
they  enter  into  the  blessedness  and  treasure  of  Christian 
knowledge  and  of  Christian  life,  and  become  themselves 
the  recipients  by  faith  of  the  Spirit  of  God. 

May  those  in  thy  presence  not  depart  from  the  ways 
of  truth  in  which  they  have  been  reared.  May  they  be 
saved  from  the  power  of  temptation  ;  may  they  grow 
strong  by  resisting  solicitations  to  evil,  and  may  they 
grow  up  in  honor,  in  truth,  in  simplicity,  and  Christian 
manliness.  We  beseech  thee  that  they  may  stand  in 
their  day  and  lot  to  fulfill  the  will  of  God,  and  to  carry 
forward  the  work  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ.  We  pray  that 
our  whole  land  may  be  remembered  before  thee,  thou 
that  dost  look  upon  the  nations  of  the  earth — they  are  but 
a  very  little  thing  before  thee.  How  easily  canst  thou 
raise  or  allay  the  tumults  of  the  people  ;  how  soon,  when 


180  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

thou  speakes'c,  will  the  winds  %  away,  and  the  waves 
grow  cahn.  We  beseech  of  thee  that  thou  wilt  ordain 
our  fate.  We  pray  that  there  may  be  so  much  of  conflict 
and  of  strife  as  is  needed  to  work  out  the  righteousness 
of  God  among  men.  Grant  that  we  may  be  held  back 
from  all  malign  and  passionate  influences,  that  we  may 
be  restrained,  that  we  may  be  conscientious  and  earnest, 
yet  full  of  love.  May  we  forget  no  truths  in  our  zeal  for 
any  truth  ;  may  we  understand  the  whole  will  of  God, 
and  be  kept  in  the  very  spirit  of  Christ,  and  do  our  Mas- 
ter's vf  ork  in  our  Master's  spirit. 

We  pray  that  thou  wilt  bless  this  church.  Grant  that 
its  members  may  evermore  be  fruitful  and  humble.  Let 
us  not  be  puffed  up  with  a  vain  prosperity.  Deliver  us 
from  secular  influences.  May  there  be  more  and  more 
prayer  in  the  membership  of  this  church,  more  and  more 
faithfulness  in  Christian  families,  more  and  more  fidelity 
in  the  rearing  of  their  children ;  and  in  their  whole  estate 
may  they  do  as  Christ  would  have  them ;  and  finally 
may  they  all  be  accepted  of  thee  for  Christ's  sake, 
Amen. 


SECURITY  IN   CHRIST. 


Sabbath  Morning. 

INVOCATION. 

Oma  heavenly  Father,  we  are  moved  from  our  hearts  to  draw  near  to 
thee  this  morning,  and  we  come  to  a  place  whose  every  thought  suggests 
thy  past  mercy ;  and  we  are  clothed  and  armed  with  recollections  of  thy 
grace  and  bounty — so  that  we  may  come  boldly  and  hopefully  again.  We 
need,  what  always  we  have  needed,  the  inspiration  of  thy  Spirit,  the  help 
which  thou  givest  to  ns  and  to  all  who  need  help  in  spiritual  things. 
May  thy  truth,  therefore,  be  a  truth  to-day,  generous  to  us  as  God  him- 
self; may  all  the  exercises  of  worship,  whether  of  prayer  or  of  devt-ut 
meditation,  or  of  sacred  song,  be  inspired  of  thee  and  welcomed  to  th^^. 
Grant,  we  pray  thee,  that  every  thing  which  we  shall  do  for  instruction, 
may  be  guarded  from  erroi  and  quickened  to  truth,  and  may  it  be  pleasant 
to  us  to  meet  each  other  in  the  sacred  precuicts  of  thy  temple.  May  we 
find  our  affections  purified  and  our  whole  souls  refreshed  by  being  this 
morning  with  God,  which  mercies  we  ask  in  the  name  of  Clirist  our 
Redeemer.     Amen. 

BEFORE   SERMON, 

We  adore  thee,  our  God,  and  worship  before  tliee. 
Our  hearts  acclaim  thee  God  ;  sovereign  not  alone  in 
heaven  and  over  the  earth,  but  over  us,  by  onr  wish. 
^  We  rejoice  that  thou  art  supreme,  and  that  there  is  a 
law  to  which  every  one  of  us  must  give  obedience, 
framed  in  perfect  wisdom  and  maintained  in  perfect 
goodness.  And  now,  we  would  walk  thereon  safely  as 
upon  a  highway  cast  up  ;  a  v/ay  upon  which  the  ransomed 
of  the  Lord  shall  walk.     And  when  by  wickedness  or  by 


182  beecher's  ptjlpit  devotions. 

sin  we  stumble  thereon,  thou,  O  God,  in  thine  infiDile 
mercy  and  kindness,  wilt  lift  ns  again  and  plant  us  upon 
our  feet ;  and  we  shall,  by  the  strength  of  God,  endure 
to  the  end  and  finally  be  saved. 

This  morning  we  rejoice  that  we  are  here,  that  we  are 
permitted  to  lay  aside  for  the  time  those  duties  of  the  world, 
and  such  occupations  as  divert  our  minds  and  carry  us 
away  from  things  spiritual  and  invisible,  l^o  more  are 
we  borne  down  by  this  outward  •  and  physical  world, 
which  dominates  us  so  easily  through  sounds,  and  sights, 
and  varied  occupations ;  we  are  permitted  to  rise  up  easier 
than  birds  from  out  of  forests  do.  Om*  thoughts  lift 
themselves  up  and  go,  not  wandering,  and  yet  singing 
toward  thee.  We  know  the  divine  attraction  ;  we  are 
taught  of  the  Spirit  to  say  out  of  the  heart's  thoughts 
and  feelings,  '^  Our  Father,"  and  that  word  is  the  gate 
of  heaven;  and  when  we  speak  it, behold  the  gate  stands 
open,  and  God  is  ours,  and  we  are  Christ's  and  he  is  God's, 
and  we  enter  in  and  have  fruition  of  invisible  blessings. 

We  had  hitherto  taken  thee  as  the  Saviour  of  sinners, 
and  pledged  that  we  would  renounce  transgression  and 
turn  from  it ;  and  yet,  how  have  we  violated  every 
promise,  and  made  ourselves  even  worse  than  by  our 
original  transgressions.  But  thou  art  infinite  in  mercy  ; 
thou  lovest  to  do  good  to  us  undeserving,  and  dost  build 
up  thy  glory,  in  this  very  estate  of  magnanimous  mercy  ; 
and  we  rejoice  that  there  is  in  thee  more  than  a  match 
for  all  the  thoughts  of  guilt,  all  the  fears  of  guilt,  or  all 
the  transgressions  that  inspire  hoplessness. 

We  rejoice,  blessed  Saviour,  that  thou  dost  appear 
before  God  for  us.  We  are  not  unknown  in  lieaven; 
we  trust  the  names  of  many  are  in  the  Lamb's  book  ; 
we  believe  that  we  are  reco^-nized  as  children,  though 


SECUEITT   IN    CHRIST.  183 

absent  from  our  Father's  house.  Do  they  not  think  of 
us  who  are  in  charge  as  ministering  angels  ?  do  they  not 
think  of  us  whom  we  once  thought  much  of,  guiding, 
and  leading,  and  teaching  ?  The  taught  are  our  teachers 
now  ;  they  that  were  beneath  us  are  risen  above.  And 
are  we  not  known  of  those  whose  hearts  are  of  ours, 
whose  lives  were  of  ours,  and  whose  companionship  has 
been  with  us  here  upon  earth,  whom  yet  again  we  shall 
meet  in  fullness  of  joy.  Are  we  not  known,  O  thou 
that  didst  bear  us  upon  thy  suffering  heart,  thou  that 
hast  clasped  us  often  for  rescue  and  released  by  thine 
own  wounded  hand,  thou  that  hast  remembered  us  in 
Gethsemane,  and  upon  the  cross  ?  Shall  any  of  us  be  for- 
gotten of  thee,  thou  that  art  wondrous  in  remembering  ? 
Thou  that  didst  love  us  while  yet  we  were  enemies,  canst 
thou  forget,  or  shall  we  be  unknown  where  thou 
dwellest  ? 

We  in  treat  that  we  may  make  our  calling  and 
election  sure,  and  that  by  an  humble  faith,  by  a  perse- 
vering following  of  Christ,  by  a  fulfilhnent  of  all  thy 
claims,  which  are  easy  and  most  reasonable.  We  be- 
seech of  thee  that  we  may  not  merely  have  the  promise 
of  that  rest,  but  may  none  of  us  come  short  of  it  through 
unbelief  and  disobedience,  and  fall  in  the  wilderness  and 
perish;  but  by  thy  Holy  Spirit  wdlt  thou  shield  us, 
delivering  us  from  temptation,  and  in  temptation  Stand- 
ing by  us  to  deliver.  Withdraw  our  thoughts  from  evil, 
save  us  from  that  despondency  which  overtakes  the 
transgressor  in  his  way,  and  grant,  we  beseech  thee,  that 
we  may  have  all  the  fullness  of  the  work  of  grace 
wrought  in  us  by  thine  own  good  Spirit.  We  confess 
our  unworthiness  of  thy  care  ;  w^e  confess  that  our  trans- 
gressions have  merited  punishment  beyond  our  thought. 


184  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

If  tlioii  liaclst  lifted  thyself  np  in  thine  infinite  purity 
and  disdained  our  wickedness ;  if  thou  hadst  walked 
over  us  and  submerged  us  beneath  our  own  way  and 
wickedness,  thou  wouldst  have  been  just  and  we  could 
not  have  replied;  but  thou  hast  had  mercy,  and  thou 
lovest  mercy,  and  we  are  alive  because  of  thy  grace  and 
not  because  of  our  own.  We  rejoice  to  believe  that  the 
same  power  that  has  been  the  author,  shall  be  the  finisher 
of  our  faith,  and  that  thou  wilt  not  begin  a  work  of  grace 
without  carrying  it  on  until  the  day  of  redemption. 

And  now  we  desire,  O  Lord,  to  strengthen  each  other, 
and  to  comfort  each  other,  to  bear  to  others  the  tidings 
of  that  ransom  and  that  ransomer,  to  make  mention  of 
the  grace  of  God  to  us,  that  it  may  redound  to  his  honor 
and  glory  in  others.  We  beseech  of  thee,  on  every  side, 
that  we  may  be  the  preachers  of  Christ,  that  we  may  not 
stand  in  our  own  virtue,  honor  or  principles,  or  upon 
our  own  merits,  proclaiming  our  own  morals.  Grant 
that  Christ  may  be  our  joy.  May  ou**  strength  be  in 
him.  May  this  be  the  teaching  of  our  lip  and  the 
thought  of  our  heart,  and  this  the  very  argument  as  it  is 
the  secret  strength  of  our  life.  And  on  every  side,  amidst 
our  children,  among  our  friends,  and  wherever  we  go 
with  strangers,  may  we  carry  the  light  of  Christ,  and  bear 
witness  to  his  faith,  to  his  power,  and  to  his  redeeming 
mercy,  so  that  many  souls  shall  be  quickened,  many  en- 
couraged, many  redeemed  and  saved  with  an  everlasting 
salvation.  And  the  glory  be  given  to  tlie  Father,  the 
Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen. 


SUCCESSIVE  GENERATION'S  OF  BELIEVERS. 

Sabbath  Morning. 


INVOCATIOI^. 


"We  thank  thee,  thou  that  art  risen  from  the  dead,  and  ascended  to  life 
evermore,  and  giving  life  to  all  thine  own,  that  we  have  received  life  of 
thee.  That  hght  which  thou  hast  granted  us  through  nature  is  thy  gift; 
but  that  other  and  nobler  knowledge  and  life  which  comes  by  thy  grace, 
transcends  all  gifts  of  nature  and  of  Providence.  And  for  that  life  of  the 
soul  we  render  thee,  this  morning,  thanksgiving  and  praise.  Thus  born 
of  God,  may  we  worship  thee,  who  art  a  spirit,  in  spirit  and  in  truth. 
And  as  we  are  speaking  and  hearing  thy  word,  and  engaged  in  the  songs  of 
Zion,  give  us  a  spirit  of  prayer,  and-  may  all  the  sacrifices  we  shall  offer 
ascend  acceptable  in  thy  sight,  0  Lord,  our  strength  and  our  .Uedeeraer 
Amen. 

BEFORE    SERMON. 

Oh  God,  tliou  hast  illumined  the  morning.  While 
yet  it  is  dark,  it  is  light.  We  rejoice  in  the  potency  of 
that  word  by  which  thou  dost  bring  forth  into  com- 
munion and  power  the  holy  thoughts  and  triumphant 
experiences  of  so  many  souls.  "We  are  witnesses  of  thy 
resurrection  power.  We  are  witnesses  that  that  spirit 
which  gave  life  once,  is  giving  life  still  and  abundantly 
and  universally.  How  many  hast  thou  already  set  free ! 
We  go  back  in  thought  from  age  to  age,  and  trace  the 
course  of  thy  struggling  church,  for  which  we  give 
thee  devout  thanks.  We  go  back  to  the  days  of  its 
beginnings  and  feebleness,  and  we  find  thee  there, 
rescuing  from  fear,  from  sorrow,  from  trouble,  and  from 


186  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

the  domination  of  the  world,  those  who  since,  through 
long  ages,  have  dwelt  with  thee  in  glory.  So  long  are 
thej  in  heaven,  that  were  it  not  for  the  endless  gratitude 
of  love,  thej  might  have  forgotten  that  they  lived  upon 
the  earth. 

Behold  how,  through  the  long,  struggling  ages,  thou 
hast  not  left  thyself  without  a  witness  and  a  people ;  and 
thou  hast  still  a  witness  in  thy  people  to  thy  power 
both  to  forgive  sin  and  to  deliver  the  soul  from  it.  More 
than  we  can  remember,  thousands  and  tens  of  thousands, 
thousands  upon  thousands  innumerable,  filling  and  still 
augmenting  the  vast  multitude  ;  more  than  the  stars,  or 
the  sands  upon  the  sea-shore,  are  they  who  by  faith  of 
Christ  have  subdued  the  world  and  triumphed  over  it, 
and  mounted  to  glory.  In  heaven  they  know  thee  and  are 
known.  They  are  thine  own  beloved  ones.  Forth  from 
thv  soul  issues  that  sclorious  welcome  of  love  which  for 
every  one  is  food  and  inspiration.  With  thee  compan- 
ionship never  grows  dull ;  with  thee  love  is  perpetual 
and  forever  new.  It  neither  wastes,  nor  expires,  nor 
grows  old,  nor  knows  weariness  or  shadow  of  turning, 
but  is  sweeter  with  every  growing  year,  and  more  full 
of  wondering  transport,  ministering  to  whatever  is  noble 
and  divine  in  the  soul.  And  they  have  dwelt  there, 
augmenting  in  taste,  in  love,  in  all  the  dignities  of  purity, 
and  in  the  transcending  elements  of  the  divine  life  ;  so 
that  they  would  not  be  known  by  their  earthly  compan- 
ions ;  nor  would  those  that  sigh,  and  pray,  and  doubt, 
and  fear,  and  long,  know  them  to  be  themselves  in  their 
heavenly  estate. 

And  we  thank  thee  that  that  number  of  redeemed  ones 
is  augmenting  still ;  we  thank  thee  that  it  is  a  heaven 
wi.th  room  for  all  that  the  earth  can  ever  send  thither  ; 


SUCCESSIVE    GENERATIONS    OP   BELIEYEES.  1  S  7 

that  tliere  is  a  place  for  every  one  whicli  none  other  can 
take.  We  thank  thee  that  there  are  garments  and 
palms  for  every  single  soul,  though  it  be  hoary  in  years, 
or  though  it  be  an  infant  of  days,  though  it  be  washed 
out  from  immeasurable  corruption,  or  though  it  speed 
without  stain  or  contamination  out  of  life.  For  all  and 
every  condition  there  awaits  in  heaven  a  robe,  a  place, 
and  a  God.  And  there,  in  that  eternal  summer ;  there, 
in  those  innumerable  joys  ;  there,  in  that  great  company 
of  the  redeemed,  whose  robes  are  washed  in  blood,  and 
made  whiter  than  the  snow ;  there,  in  ranks,  in  cities,  in 
nations,  in  races,  and  in  multitudes  without  number,  they 
dwell  in  holy  liberties  and  in  blessed  experiences.  In- 
explicable to  us  in  the  world  are  they. 

They  are  monuments,  witnesses  of  thy  goodness,  com- 
panions of  thy  glor}",  full  of  ineffable  joy.  l^ay,  we 
conceive  not  nor  have  we  the  power  to  conceive  of  that 
which  shall  describe  the  joy  of  those  that  are  with  thee 
in  heaven.  And  it  is  our  earthly  joy,  though  in  low 
measures  adulterated,  that  we  have  sent  thither  those 
that  are  companioning  with  thee.  Tliere,  are  those  tliat 
taught  us.  Our  parents,  revered  and  beloved,  are  at  rest. 
There,  are  our  eartlily  companions — many  that  forsook 
us  in  childliood.  We  have  seen  them  no  more  since, 
but  they  have  seen  thee,  and  are  with  thee  forever. 
There,  are  our  brothers  and  sisters,  that  went  away 
before  we  could  go,  having  finished  their  tasks  and  been 
called  thither.  Tliere,  are  those  children,  whom  with 
frowns  of  grief  we  forbade  to  Christ,  and  would  not  per- 
mit to  go  when  they  heai'd  his  voice,  saying,  ''  Come 
unto  me."  Mightier  was  their  love  and  thine  than  ours. 
And  though  it  broke  our  hearts,  they  went ;  and  we  live 
to  give  thanks;  and  we  visit  them  again  in  faith,  and 


188  beecher's  pflpit  devotiojsts. 

l)ehold  tlieir  royalty,  and  feel  that  we  are  not  worthy 
now  to  touch  their  shoes'  latchet.  And  there,  are  those 
that  have  been  the  companions  of  our  manhood,  onr 
brothers  in  toil  and  labors  of  love.  There,  are  many 
that  were  the  founders  of  this  vine  and  chnrch,  and  that 
wrought  with  ns  early,  and  bore  the  burden  and  heat  of 
the  day,  and  did  not  despise  tlie  day  of  small  things. 
They  rest  from  their  labors ;  their  works  follow  them ; 
and  they  are  to-day  blessed. 

We  give  thanks  to  thee,  O  Lord  our  God,  our 
heavenly  Father,  that  when  we  look  through  all  these 
that  are  martyrs  and  confessors,  and  apostles,  and  holy 
ministers,  and  saints,  and  our  own  kindred,  and  our 
children,  and  those  that  are  dear  to  us  as  our  own  soul, 
that  still  we  are  conscious  that  rising  above  them  all, 
and  nobler,  and  drawing  us  with  stronger  love,  thou, 
the  pierced  one,  dost  still  stand,  saying  to  us  from  out  of 
the  heavens :  "  Peace  be  unto  you ;"  still,  to  our  eye, 
reaching  out  the  hands  that  were  wounded  for  us,  but 
are  mighty  against  all  our  wounds.  Thou,  Jesus,  art 
our  soul's  joy  and  delight.  Whom  have  we  in  heaven 
but  thee  ?  There  is  none  upon  earth  that  we  desire  like 
unto  thee.  Y\^e  rejoice  in  thee.  We  worship  thee. 
We  follow  thee,  and  are  grieved  that  our  steps  are  so 
short  and  so  wavering  and  imperfect.  We  strive  to 
know  thee.  We  irourn  the  past.  We  set  resolutions 
and  barriers  between  us  and  temptation.  We  call  to 
mind  the  victories  of  thy  people  of  old.  We  call  thy 
grace  to  mind.  We  call  to  mind  thy  sovereign  power, 
which  is  working  in  us  to  will  and  to  do  of  thy  good 
pleasure.  We  are  as  ships  upon  a  stormy  sea ;  rising 
and  falling,  we  sometimes  lose  the  sight  of  heaven;  but 
in  spite  of  winds  we  hold  on.     Though,  as  we  are  tossed 


SUCCESSIVE   GEi^EEATIONS    OF   BELIEVERS.  189 

and  daslied  to  and  fro,  we  often  lose,  beneath  tlie  sub- 
merging waves  that  roll  over  us,  tlie  sight,  yet  v/e  do  not 
lose  faith.  Thou  art  still  our  captain.  Thou  art  our 
leader — our  triumphant  Saviour.  Thy  death  hath  set- 
tled our  life.  We  shall  live  because  thou  dost;  or 
because  thou  hadst  power  in  dying  to  destroy  death,,  and 
didst  trample  it  under  thy  feet.  Thou  didst  work 
wondrously,  and  thou  wert  victor.  Thou  didst  come 
forth,  and  rejoice  all  heaven  in  the  anticipation  of  those 
victories  which  were  wrought  by  thee  in  suffering,  and 
dying,  and  rising  again,  and  ever  living. 

Now  this  is  our  faith  and  our  hope :  Jesus  is  risen  ;  and 
is  our  Saviour — our  personal  Saviour.  He  loves  us  more 
than  we  love  ourselves.  He  understands  us  better  than  a 
mother  understands  the  babe  that  she  nourishes.  He 
knows  all  our  ailments.  He  knows  our  sins,  our  easily 
besetting  sins.  He  knows  every  temptation,  and  every 
suo;2:estion  of  the  devil.  And  he  has  sliielded  us.  About 
US  thou  art  throwing  thine  arm  of  protection.  Thou  art 
surrounding  thy  people  with  holy  influences.  Thou  wilt 
never  leave  them  nor  forsake  them.  They  shall  be  vic- 
torious. So  long  as  that  voice  sounds  from  the  heavens, 
''  Because  I  live  ye  shall  live  also,"  so  long  we  have  presage 
and  assurance  of  final  victory.  AYe  take  up  our  cross  and 
follow  thee.  AVhat  is  the  cross  since  thou  left  it  ?  ISTo 
longer  a  burden,  but  more  a  staff  and  a  stay  to  us.  ISTo 
lono;er  is  there  death  in  it,  but  life  eternal.  'No  lono:er 
wounding,  and  shame,  and  disgrace,  but  honor,  and  in- 
fluence, and  glory,  and  immortality.  We  take  it  up  and 
we  follow  thee.  ¥/e  mourn  that  it  is  so  slowly  that  we 
follow  thee;  but  we  rejoice  that  we  follow  thee  still. 
And  the  victory — we  hail  it ;  we  wait  for  it.  'Tis  better 
to  depart  and  be  with  Christ  than  to  live.     No  matter 


190  eeeciier's  PULriT  devotions. 

what  are  the  joys  of  the  hour ;  what  can  they  be  com- 
pared to  our  Father's  house  and  the  soul's  home  among 
its  brethren  in  heaven  ? 

And  now,  grant  this  day,  we  beseech  of  thee,  unto 
thy  people,  a  clearer  vision  than  they  have  been  wont  to 
have  of  that  rest  which  remaineth  for  the  people  of  God. 
Cheer  thy  disciples.  Those  that  quarrel  by  the  way — ■ 
teach  them  better.  And  may  those  that  fear  and  doubt 
find  thee  walking  with  them,  and  opening  the  scriptures 
to  them,  so  that  they  shall  feel  their  hearts  burning 
within  them.  May  those  that  know  thee  not,  and  weep 
for  thee ;  may  those  that  look  thee  in  the  face,  and  think 
thee  to  be  the  gardener,  hear  thee  speak  their  name  to 
them,  so  that  their  souls  shall  abound  with  consola- 
tion ;  and  may  they  know  that  it  is  Christ  that  they  are 
looking  upon.  Hold  not  their  eyes  any  longer  ;  but  may 
they  see  liim  who  lives  forever,  that  they  may  live. 

Wilt  thou  draw  near  to  any  that  have  despised  thee, 
and  that  still  despise.  May  they  see  what  they  are 
doing.  May  they  know  what  is  the  great  sin  of  all  their 
sins  in  life — that  Christ  should  live  and  they  be  dead  to 
him.  And  we  pray  that  thou  wilt  arouse  many,  and  that 
thou  wilt  bring  them  by  the  way  of  sorrow  and  peni- 
tence to  Jesus,  the  soul's  Saviour. 

Bless  those  that  are  hearing  thy  voice  calling  unto  them 
as  unto  little  children.  May  they  not  be  impatient.  May 
they  rejoice  that  Christ  hath  called  them  to  a  whole  life  of 
learning.  Day  by  day  may  they  study  new  fidelities, 
purity,  truth,  justice,  simplicity,  love,  and  laboriousness 
in  the  cause  of  Christ. 

Shield  those  that  are  in  the  midst  of  snares  and 
assaults  of  the  evil  one.  Bless  the  young.  Bless  those 
that   ai'e   in   the   midst   of  life.     Bless    those  that  are 


SUCCESSIVE    GENERATIONS    OF   BELIE VEES.  191 

advancing  and  coming  into  the  shade  and  shadow  ot 
their  days.  May  all  feel  thy  presence,  and  every  one 
have  ministered  to  him,  this  day,  according  to  his  neces- 
sity, some  portion  from  the  table  of  thy  royalty. 

And  grant  thy  blessing  to  rest  npon  the  churches,  and 
npon  thy  cause  in  all  this  land,  and  around  the  world. 
Fulfill  those  promises  that  seem  so  long  to  have  lingered, 
and  bring  in  Jew  and  Gentile,  and  fill  the  earth  with 
thy  glory.  And  to  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy 
Spirit,  shall  be  praises  everlasting.     Amen. 


CLOSINa  PEAYER. 

Blessed  r^aviour,  wilt  thou  grant  by  the  Holy  Ghost  that  the  truth  may 
he  applied,  which  has  been  spoken  to-day,  to  every  conscience,  and  to 
every  UDdevstanding,  and  to  every  heart.  It  is  thine  own  work  and  thine 
own  trutli,  and  thine  own  souls  are  these.  We  beseech  of  thee,  0  Lord 
Jesus,  that  we  may  not  think  that  we  desire  their  salvation  more  than 
thou  dost — for  all  the  desires  that  struggle  in  us,  and  seem  overbearing 
at  times  are  but  drops  which  have  fallen  from  thy  great  heart ;  and  we 
do  not  plead  for  them  as  those  that  feel  more  than  thou  dost,  but  we 
plead  for  them  because  thou  hast  permitted  us  to  utter  our  desires  in 
the  form  of  intercessory  prayer.  We  rejoice  that  we  may,  and  we  beseech 
of  thee  that  thou  wilt  hear  our  cry,  and  answer  and  show  mercy  and  for- 
giveness, for  thine  own  name's  sake.     Amen. 


RICHES    OF    GOD'S    MERCIFULNESS. 


An  Evening  Service. 

OijE  heavenly  Father — we  do  not  draw  near  to  thee 
as  strangers ;  we  are  not  aliens  from  the  commonwealth 
of  Israel ;  we  are  thy  children ;  and  though  we  cannot 
come  in  justice  with  claims,  yet  in  the  realm  of  love  we 
do  come  to  claim  blessings.  W^e  come  not  Avith  that 
boldness  which  they  have  who  are  nnsuUied  and  have  no 
fear ;  but  we  come  with  that  boldness  which  thou  dost 
command,  that  confidence  which  we  have  in  thy  love  to 
us,  that  confidence  and  earnestness  which  is  inspired  by 
a  spirit  of  love  in  us  toward  thee.  We  beseech  of  thee 
that  we  may  have  the  manifestations  of  thy  presence. 
May  we  not  seem  to  ourselves  as  those  that  speak  in  the 
air,  but  rather  as  those  that  behold  thee  by  the  inward 
sense,  and  speak  to  the  presence  of  a  loving  Father. 

Our  wants,  we  scarcely  know  them,  because  thou  art 
beforehand  with  thy  vigilant  love  and  care.  Our 
troubles,  they  are  oftentimes  alleviated  in  the  very  com- 
ing, or  we  are  lifted  up  after  their  first  shock  out  of  them, 
so  that  before  we  begin  to  pray,  thou  hast  begun  to 
relieve.  Thou  art  always  going  before;  and  when  we 
follow  thee,  we  find  our  footsteps  walking  in  the  path  of 
mercy.  And  thou  art  always  doing  exceeding  abund- 
antly more  than  we  ask  or  think ;  for  when  we  ask  for 
temporal  mercies,  thou  givest,  in  addition,  spiritual  mer- 
9 


194  eeechek's  pulpit  devotions. 

cies ;  and  as  on  eartli  wlien  they  brought  unto  thee,  blessed 
Jesus,  the  sick  and  the  lame,  thou  didst  heal  them,  and 
then  forgive  them  their  sins,  blessing  them  in  their  spirit 
and  in  their  body ;  so  when  we  ask  of  thee  for  divine 
kindnesses,  thou  art  wont  to  fulfill  our  petitions,  both  in 
the  substance  and  in  the  spirit.  Thou  art  doing  more 
than  we  know.  JSTot  till  we  stand  in  heaven  and  behold 
the  inheritance,  not  till  we  there  see  the  growths  of  all 
those  things  which  now  we  are  sowing,  shall  we  know 
v/hat  abundant  mercy  thou  hast  shown  unto  us. 

And  now  we  render  thee  thanks  for  the  tenderness 
and  delicacy  with  which  thou  art  blessing  us.  Thou 
couldst  take  thy  goodness,  and  thou  couldst  prostrate  us 
with  it ;  thou  couldst  so  come  with  kindnesses  as  to  make 
them  burdens.  Thou  art  doing  good  in  ways  so  gentle, 
in  ways  so  common  to  our  necessities,  that  thy  very  dis- 
position and  thy  manner  is  itself  a  blessing.  All  thy 
kindnesses  and  all  thy  assistances  to  us  are  wonderful, 
but  thy  methods  are  full  as  wonderful.  Thou  art  glori- 
ous in  holiness;  but'thou  art  wonderful  in  all  the 
methods  of  thy  thought,  and  feeling,  and  administration. 
Thou  dost  not  sit  to  control  the  earth  by  wide-sweeping 
laws,  which  thou  dost  touch  but  at  the  point  of  inspira- 
tion ;  thou  art  thyself  mingling  in  universal  Iniman 
affairs.  All  events  are  thy  thoughts,  and  all  things  are 
under  thee  ;  and  as  we  can  stand  in  the  midst  of  com- 
plicated affairs,  serene,  holding  them  all  and  guiding  a 
thousand  intricate  things,  so  thou,  upon  the  greater 
sphere,  canst  behold  the  flow  of  time  toward  eternity ; 
and  universal  affairs  are  all  simple,  and  plain,  and  easy 
to  thee.  Thou  bearest  up  creation  without  weariness, 
and  art  not  fatigued  by  ages,  though  thou  slumberest 
not  nor  sleepest,  nor  in  any  way  takest  rest. 


EICHES    OF   god's   MEECIFULNESS.  195 

O  Lord,  our  God,  we  do  feel  tliat  we  are  made  honora- 
ble by  bowing  down  before  thee ;  this  is  our  lifting  up  ; 
this  is  our  exaltation  ;  and  when  we  humble  ourselves, 
and  are  abased,  then  most  are  we  lifted  up  into  glory 
and  honor. 

We  beseech  of  thee  that  thou  wilt  draw  every  one  in 
thy  presence  to  thee  by  thy  loveliness.  May  thy  good- 
ness lead  them  to  repentance.  "Wilt  thou  help  those 
that  are  struggling  to  obtain  a  nearer  view  of  thee. 
There  are  many  that  obtain  but  glimpses  and  at  rare 
intervals  ;  there  are  many  that  complain  that  they  can- 
not find  thee  in  thy  word,  nor  do  they  behold  thee  in 
daily  affairs,  nor  do  there  come  to  them  those  moods  and 
meditations  in  which  other  men  find  thee  revealed. 
ISTow  we  beseech  of  thee  that  thou  wilt  hear  the  prayer, 
whether  uttered  or  thought,  of  such ;  and  as  thou  hast  a 
blessing  sent  forth  and  never  revoked  for  them  that 
hunger  and  thirst  after  righteousness,  so  grant  we 
beseech  thee  that  they  may  be  satisfied  of  thy  full- 
ness. 

And  if  there  are  any  that  are  troubled  with  doubts,  or 
are  baffled,  that  are  driven  hither  and  thither,  that  come 
almost  to  the  port  of  peace,  and  then  with  contrary  and 
adverse  winds  are  driven  off  again,  O  Lord  we  beseech 
thee  that  thou  wilt  rise  where  thou  seemest  to  sleep. 
Let  them  behold  that  thou  art  in  the  ship,  and  that  they 
may  not  be  afraid  of  the  elements ;  speak  to  them  that 
they  may  be  at  peace.  Draw  near  to  all  those  that  seem 
to  themselves  almost  forsaken  of  God ;  lift  them  up  out 
of  the  lower  plain  of  selfishness  in  which  they  judge  thee 
in  relation  to  the  occurrences  of  life,  that  they  may  see 
that  the  events  of  this  life,  do  not  center  in  them  or  in 
their  selfish  views,  but  that  they  themselves  are  compos- 


lv)6  beechejr's  pulpit  devotions. 

iiig  a  part  of  the  great  history  in  which  thoii  art  adminis- 
tering for  the  good  of  all,  for  each  and  for  alL 

May  we  not  sink  away  and  droop  into  faintness  and 
weakness  by  reason  of  thy  dealings  with  us ;  may  we  feel 
that  we  are  more  beloved  of  God  than  our  children  are  of 
us ;  yea,  that  thy  regard  for  us  is  infinitely  greater  than  our 
own  regard  for  ourselves.  We  that  are  full  of  selfishness 
and  ignorance,  we  that  are  nursed  in  conceits  and  follies, 
we  that  do  not  know  how  to  love  ourselves  wisely  and 
well,  how  much  more  are  we  beloved  by  thee  that 
knowest  altogether  what  we  are  made  of,  that  knowest 
all  our  career  in  time  and  in  et-ernity.  We  rejoice  that 
thou  dost  administer  upon  the  great  circles  of  thy 
wisdom  and  goodness,  and  not  upon  the  petty  marks 
which  we  make  for  ourselves.  Go  on  and  deal  with  us 
as  thou  wilt :     Thy  will  be  done. 

O  Lord,  our  God,  thou  dost  sometimes  bring  us  to  the 
point  of  vision  where  we  can  see  tliee,  at  least  dimly  and 
distantly,  and  then  it  is  not  difficult  to  say  "  Thy  will  be 
done ;"  but  we  long  to  wear  this  spirit  as  a  garment,  we 
long  to  sanctity  common  events  and  experiences  by 
learning  to  feel  that  they  are  of  God.  AVe  long  to  know 
that  there  is  a  wisdom  under  us  that  is  better  than  our 
own,  that  there  is  a  controlling  power  and  a  divine  love 
beating  like  blood  through  all  the  veins  of  life  and  time. 
We  long  to  know  that  all  things  are  fashioned  and 
directed  by  our  Father's  hand,  so  that  we  may  meet 
every  new  combination  and  every  change  of  affairs  with 
the  feelino;  that  it  is  best  and  wisest  because  divinelv 
guided.  So  make  it  easy  for  us  every  day,  in  every 
thing,  and  every  where,  to  accept  the  revelations  of  thy 
Providence  as  the  teachings  of  thy  thought  and  of  thy 
wisdom. 


RICHES    OF   god's   MERCIFULNESS.  197 

We  pray  that  thou  wilt  help  us  in  our  various  situa- 
tions of  life  to  bear  the  burdens  that  thou  dost  call  us  to 
bear ;  and  though  we  may  ourselves  be  instrumental  in 
bringing  those  burdens  upon  us,  thou  art  employing 
^  them  as  moral  instruments,  thou  wilt  by  them  help  us  in 
the  end.  May  those  that  are  weak  be  helped  of  God,  in 
those  troubles  that  spring  from  weakness,  whether  of 
mind,  conscience,  or  affection.  May  all  those  that  are 
in  the  midst  of  sickness,  of  troubles  and  pain,  find  thee 
a  present  help  in  those  necessities.  May  those  that  are 
bereaved,  find  that  God  is  an  able  physician  for  this 
trouble ;  and  may  those  who  desire  to  get  rid  of  their 
difficulties  understand  the  sweetness  and  depth  of  the 
promise  :  ^'  My  grace  shall  be  sufficient  for  thee ;"  and 
may  they  more  and  more  find  out  the  sacred  lesson  of 
bearing. 

May  we,  O  Lord,  find  strength  in  enduring  things 
which  at  first  we  utterly  despised  and  hated.  May  we 
know  how  to  make  our  lower  nature  serve  faithfully, 
cheerfully,  and  gladly,  our  higher;  and  in  all  things  may 
we  accept  the  overrulings  of  our  lower  experience,  of 
our  physical  sensations,  of  our  earthly  connections,  and 
of  our  time  interests,  in  behalf  of  generosity,  magnani- 
mity, purity  of  life,  spirituality,  and  the  hope  of  God 
and  heaven.  And  we  beseech  of  thee  that  thus  we  may 
be  led  every  day  as  in  a  Sabbath,  finding  rest  every 
hour,  and  every  where  a  sanctuary,  and  our  heart  a 
perpetual  altar,  and  every  affection  sweet  incense. 

We  beseech  of  thee  for  those  that  are  in  our  midst 
this  morning,  strangers  to  us  ;  grant  that  they  may  be 
made  welcome  as  brothers  and  sisters  in  Jesus  Christ  in 
this  household  of  faith,  since  they  have  found  here  their 
Father.     May  we  look  upon  them  as  brethren,  and  may 


198  beecher's  pft.ptt  peyotions. 

we  rejoice  together  in  sacred  song,  in  the  communion  of 
the  truth,  in  fellowship  one  with  the  otlier  of  prayer  and 
of  praise.  May  they  feel  that  in  this  wilderness  of  life 
thou  hast  appointed  this  home  for  them,  this  strange 
place  of  meeting  with  their  kindred,  and  may  they  go 
hence  blessed.  May  all  the  desire  of  all  onr  hearts  rest 
upon  every  one  of  them,  and  may  they  have  the  blessing 
of  the  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit,  and  the  people  of  God  upon 
them  ;  and  if  they  are  strangers  in  a  strange  land,  full  of 
home-sickness,  remember  them  and  comfort  them.  O 
Lord,  if  they  look  back  to  those  that  they  scarcely  dare 
name  or  think  of  for  heart-yearnings,  both  sanctify  their 
affection  and  its  affliction,  and  bless  them  for  whom 
they  desire  blessings. 

Be  with  any,  native  or  foreign,  who  may  consider 
themselves  wanderers,  that  scarcely  know  father  or 
mother,  or  brother,  or  sister,  or  friends,  or  kindred,  and 
who  account  themselves  driven  as  the  idle  seed  in  the 
air  of  summer.  O  Lord,  we  beseech  thee  that  they  may 
find  themselves  connected  by  Christian  faith  and  love 
with  those  that  are  the  children  of  God,  and  we  shall 
become  brothers  and  sisters  to  them.  Reclaim  those 
that  are  wandering  from  rectitude.  If  any  are  beginning 
to  step  aside,  thou  seest  it,  though  no  other  eye  in  the 
universe  knovv^s  it ;  there  is  not  one  that  escapes  thy 
vigilant  gaze.  Throw  thine  arms  of  protection  around 
them  at  the  beginning  of  evil,  and  turn  them  back  in- 
stantly, and  give  them  a  firm  determination  to  do  evil 
no  more.  Rescue  those  that  are  gone  down  apace  in  the 
evil  way,  and  bring  back  those  that  are  nearly  helpless 
and  hopeless,  and  to  human  instrumentality  quite  given 
up. 

And  we  beseech  thee   to  be  with  the  poor  and  the 


RICHES    OF    god's    MEECIFin.NESS.  199 

ignorant,  and  with  all  those  that  are  oppressed  by 
avarice  and  position.  Be  with  all  those  that  are  suffer- 
ing from  the  bondage  of  civil  laws  and  dynasties  and 
governments ;  and  we  beseech  of  thee  that  this  race  of 
man,  that  for  so  long  a  time  has  groaned  and  travailed 
in  pain,  may  at  length  emerge  and  go  forth  into  the  joy, 
light,  and  liberty  of  the  children  of  God  ;  and  the  earth 
see  thy  salvation.  And  to  thy  name  shall  be  the  praise, 
Father,  Son,  and  Spirit.     Amen. 


CLOSINa  PRATES. 

"Wilt  thou  follow  with  thy  blessing  the  word  spoken,  our  heavenly 
Father.  May  it  be  a  word  in  time ;  may  it  be  a  word  of  excitement,  a 
word  of  relief.  Grant,  we  beseech  thee,  that  divine  power  may  rest  upon 
every  heart  and  conscience,  by  which  they  shall  be  set  free  from  fear, 
and  deliver  us  all  from  bondage.  May  we  love  men,  but  not  fear  them ; 
may  we  have  that  sovereign  fear  of  God  that  shall  set  us  free  of  all  other 
lower  fears,  and  so  bound  to  thee  may  we  be  able  to  go  in  perfect  har- 
mony with  heaven,  though  surrounded  by  all  the  defects  of  earth  and 
time ;  and  may  we  have  that  contentment  wMch  they  well  may  have  who 
have  the  Spirit  of  God  with  them,  who  have  the  testimony  of  their  own 
conscience  that,  with  sincerity,  diligence,  and  singleness  of  purpose,  they 
are  seeking  to  fulfill  the  law  of  God.  Wilt  thou  bless  us  as  we  go  from 
this  place  of  worship ;  go  with  us  to  our  homes ;  deliver  us  from  all 
thoughts  that  are  inappropriate  to  the  rest  and  joy  of  this  day,  and  at 
last  bring  us  to  thy  kingdom  in  heaven,  which  we  ask,  for  the  Redeemer's 
sake.     Amen. 


PATERNAL  CHARACTER  OF   GOD. 


AX  EYENING  PRAYER. 


We  thank  thee,  our  heavenly  Father,  that  thou  hast 
not  ordained  it  that  they  that  approach  thee  should  come 
Avith  a  perfect  heart  and  a  perfect  utterance ;  then  only 
those  that  are  ripened  in  the  very  light  of  thy  counte- 
nance and  in  the  everlasting  summer  of  heaven  could 
speak  to  thee.  Bat  what  do  they  need  of  prayer? 
Why  should  they  call  out  who  are  without  temptations, 
without  sorrow,  without  any  weakness,  without  infirmi 
ties  and  trials?  It  is  those  that  are  tossed  below  that 
need  to  speak  to  thee,  and  if  thou  wouldst  accept  no 
offering  of  our  lips  but  a  perfect  offering,  we  should  be 
dumb.  Blessed  be  thy  name  !  thou  dost  hear  with  thy 
heart ;  thy  pity  listens,  and  thy  compassions,  that  mercy 
which  has  spared  and  spares  still,  that  goodness  that 
loves  to  find  a  way  of  excuse  and  release  and  relief,  that 
grandeur  of  divine  paternity  and  a  father's  pity  for  an 
erring  child,  thou  hast  for  every  one  of  us.  And  vv^e 
draw  near  to  thee  to-night,  encouraged  with  this  thought. 
Lord,  thou  hast  taught  us  in  the  very  first  word  of  that 
uttered  prayer,  to  say,  "  Our  Father,"  and  in  that  way 
to  forget  the  dreadfiilness  of  a  monarch's  unapproachable 


angustness. 


So  we  come  to  thee  as  to  our  Father.     We  know  not 
ourselves,  nor  the  way  of  our  own  lives.     In  the  things 


9* 


1:02  eeecher's  pulpit  devotioxs. 

\Yliere  we  have  knowledge  we  stumble  and  fall,  but  like- 
wise we  stumble  and  fall  for  lack  of  vision.  "We  are  walk- 
ing in  a  strange  and  nnlcnown  world  ;  thou  hast  not  been 
pleased  to  let  us  see  what  there  is  in  to-morrow ;  thou 
hast  obliged  us  to  steer  oftentimes  upon  the  troubled  sea 
amidst  tempestuous  influences,  and  we  are  perpetually 
falling  into  trouble  by  reason  of  our  ignorance  or  our 
very  limited  sight.  We  thank  thee  that  thou  dost  look 
upon  all  this  and  share  what  we  are,  and  that  we  are 
ourselves  under  the  vigilance  and  sleepless  care  of  thine 
own  watching  and  providence.  Thou  dost  take  our 
thoughts  and  feelings  and  their  resulting  actions,  and  all 
of  them  are  compared  again  by  thee,  so  that  all  things 
work  together  for  the  good  of  them  that  love  God. 
Thou  art  not  weary  with  us  when  we  fall  by  reason  of 
our  own  bin,  which  is  daily ;  thou  knowest  how  to  spare 
that  thou  mayest  heal.  We  are  ourselves  witnesses  to 
thy  sparing  mercy ;  if  thou  hadst  been  just  in  thy  indig- 
nation, as  thou  mightest  have  been,  we  should  have  been 
cut  off  long  ago  and  no  longer  cumbered  the  ground,  but 
thou  hast  had  mercy,  and  thou  dost  delight  in  mercy,  and 
those  that  might  justly  be  cast  off  from  thy  care  thou 
dost  cherish  with  wonderful  patience  and  love. 

O  Lord,  we  thank  thee  for  thy  kindness,  for  thy 
patience,  for  all  thy  wonderful  forgiveness,  and  for  tliy 
unwearied  love  that  nourishes  whom  it  mio^ht  destroy. 
"Now  we  pray  that  a  sense  of  God's  goodness  may  lead 
us  to  repentance ;  may  we  not  be  willing  to  receive  all 
bounties  and  requite  all  ingratitude?  may  we  not  be 
willing  tftat  God  should  surround  us  with  ten  thousand 
mercies  unnamed  and  unmentionable,  and  that  we  should 
walk  amidst  them  all  only  to  grow  more  selfish  and 
proud,     May  we  requite  thee  according  to  thy  mercies 


PATERNAL    CHARACTER    OP    GOD.  203 

and  goodness,  and  though  we  cannot  measure  with  any 
thought  or  feeling  of  ours,  the  bounty  of  our  God,  yet 
may  we  love  thee,. and  seek  by  loving  obedience  for  com- 
placency in  us.  Turn  us  to  thyself ;  let  the  light  of  thine 
own  image  shine  in  us,  and  behold  thine  own  lineaments 
developing  in  us,  and  carry  on  the  work  until  its  con- 
summation and  our  victory. 

We  pray,  O  most  merciful  Father,  that  thou  wilt 
have  mercy  upon  those  that  are  weak.  We  need  to  be 
born  as  little  children,  and  borne  with ;  teach  us  pa- 
tience, and  teach  us  how  to  edify  one  another.  We  pray 
that  thou  wilt  give  light  to  all  that  are  in  perplexity  and 
darkness.  Open  a  way  for  those  that  find  themselves 
shut  up  and  know  not  whither  to  turn ;  that  seem  alone, 
with  none  to  whom  they  can  go  for  counsel ;  be  thou 
more  than  friend  or  friendship  to  them,  and  may  they 
feel  that  there  is  one  ear  that  always  hears  and  one  mind 
that  never  forgets.  Thou  that  dost  bear  time  in  thine  own 
heart,  thou  that  dost  wear  out  the  spheres  with  the 
freshness  of  thine  enduring  youth,  O  do  thou  teach  them 
that  thou  art  always  a  refuge  and  a  friend,  and  an  ever- 
lasting protector.  Are  there  any  declining  in  life?  Do 
they  feel  infirmities  come  upon  them  outwardly  ?  We 
pray  that  as  the  outward  man  perishes  the  inward  man 
may  be  renewed  day  by  day,*  and  as  they  leave  in  their 
advance  earthly  things  behind  them,  may  they  be  to 
them  as  to  those  that  draw  near,  after  long  being  upon 
the  sea,  to  their  native  land,  and  all  the  sweet  odors  of 
the  earth  come  fortli  upon  the  deep  to  meet  them,  and 
all  the  mingling  infiuences  of  growing  things  open  to 
those  that  are  drawing  near  to  heaven ;  if  they  are 
coming  upon  tlie  shore  in  the  darkness  of  the  night,  may 

*   In  presence  of  the  pastor's  aged  fattier,  Dr,  Lyman  Beecher. 


204  BEECHER'S    PULPIT    DEVOTIO^"S. 

there  be  a  sense  of  wliat  is  coming  ;  may  they  have  fore- 
tastes and  sweet-wafted  influences  that  shall  cheer  them 
and  comfort  them. 

Glorify  thyself  in  the  lives  of  all  thy  people;  make 
them  more  and  more  holy  that  they  may  be  a 
blessing  to  men.  Deliver  them  from  vanity  and  osten- 
tation, from  spiritual  pride,  and  from  all  things  that  are 
offensive  and  untrue  before  God  or  men.  Make  them 
full  of  all  kindness  and  gentleness  ;  may  thy  people  love 
one  another,  and  so  with  a  spirit  of  unfeigned  love  bring 
on  that  final  day  of  glory,  when  all  thy  church  on  earth 
shall  be  one,  when  there  shall  be  no  more  divisions, 
where  the  heart  shall  be  united  and  sanctified  by  the 
Spirit  of  God.  Wilt  thou  hear  us  in  our  petitions,  and 
answer  us  for  Christ's  sake.     Amen. 


TRIUMPHS  OVER  SIN  AND  DEATH. 


Sdbhath  Morning. 

INVOCATION. 

Ottr  heavenly  Father,  thou  hast  invited  us  by  all  the  words  of  persua- 
sion that  stand  from  age  to  age  unexhausted  in  thy  vt^ord ;  and  thou  art 
inviting  us  by  our  own  wants  recurring  every  day,  and  by  all  the  smiling 
prospects  of  this  morning  in  which  thou  hast  seut  forth  the  sun  to  repre- 
Bent  thee,  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  risen  with  healing  in  thy  beams. 
And  we  draw  near  to  thee,  made  welcome  by  thy  Spirit  to  rejoice  in  thy 
presence,  to  receive  from  thee  those  gifts  which  every  hour  we  need. 
And  now  we  pray,  since  thou  hast  opened  the  doors  of  thy  temple  and 
made  us  welcome  here,  that  thou  wilt  grant  us  the  evidence  of  thy  favor 
in  the  enUvening  of  all  our  gracious  affections.  May  we  find  that  our 
feelings  and  thoughts  and  imaginations  are  hfting  themselves  up  to  greet 
thee,  and  bearing  witness  that  thy  Spirit  is  here.  Sanctify  to  our  use  thy 
word.  Bless  us  in  the  holy  communion  of  prayer;  bless  us  in  singing 
the  sacred  song ;  bless  us  in  our  meditation  and  speaking  and  listening ; 
bless  us  here  and  at  our  several  homes,  and  may  the  whole  day  be  a  day 
of  advancement  heavenward.     "We  ask  it  for  Christ's  sake.    Amen. 

BEFORE  SERMON. 

Thou  dwellest  in  liglit  and  glorj,  O  our  Father ;  we 
dwell  in  darkness ;  our  light  has  not  yet  come,  and 
although  thou  hast  sent  some  beams  to  guide  us,  we 
walk  in  the  twilight  yet,  and  wait  for  the  rising  sun  of 
our  salvation.  Thou  art  surrounded  by  the  whole  estate 
of  the  blessed.  What  are  their  joys,  we  know  not ;  what 
are  their  glories  and  dignities,  doth  not  yet  appear.  We 
know  that  we  shall  never  reach  the  circuit  of  heaven  by 


203  beecheh's  pulpit  devotions. 

our  imaginations  thereof,  and  tliat  nothing  that  is  high 
and  noble  and  pure  can  be  exaggerated.  We  know  that 
when  we  behold  that  which  now  our  mortal  and  fleshly 
eye  cannot  see,  it  will  be  more  glorious  than  we  have 
thought;  not  less.  Eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard, 
nor  hath  it  entered  into  the  heart  of  man  to  conceive  the 
things  which  thou  hast  reserved  for  them  in  the  blessed- 
ness of  heaven. 

We  are  glad  for  those  that  go,  going  forth  by  per- 
mission by  the  door  of  life  and  death.  We  are  glad  for 
those  whose  work  is  completed ;  who  rest  from  it ;  whose 
life  is  purified  upon  this  sphere,  and  begins  to  blossom  in 
the  other.  We  rejoice  likewise  for  those  that  remain, 
whose  work  being  done,  they  tarry  only  till  thy  conve- 
nience sends  for  them.  How  many  are  there  whose  vaca- 
tion is  at  hand,  who  know  that  ere  long  the  welcome  sound 
shall  come,  "■  Child,  thy  Father  sendeth  for  thee  !"  We 
rejoice  that  in  this  company  are  so  many  that  themselves 
think  not  of  it.  Now  is  their  salvation  nearer  than  when 
they  believed,  or  than  they  now  believe.  We  rejoice 
that  thou  art  taking  from  out  of  the  company  of  sinful 
men,  and  from  the  midst  of  troubles  in  this  life,  one  and 
another  into  the  dear  delights  of  their  Father's  kingdom. 
They  that  sang  here  are  to-day  singing  more  sweetly 
above.  We  thank  thee  that  redeeming  power  and  grace 
are  not  exhibited  alone  in  the  final  consummation  and  in 
the  uplifting  exhibition  which  thou  wilt  make  to  all  the 
world;  thou  art  exhibiting  day  by  day,  to  those  that  have 
a  heart  to  understand  and  an  eye  to  behold,  the  triumphs 
of  redeeming  love.  We  behold  round  about  us  thy  work 
beginning,  and  thou  art  showing  thyself  to  be  the  author 
of  faith. 

We  rejoice  that  so  many  among  us  are  beginning  to 


TRIUMPHS    OVEK   SIN   AJTD   DEATH.  207 

dawn  into  the  kingdom  of  God's  glory,  and  into  the  com- 
munion of  the  invisible  world,  and  into  the  life  that 
Btands  upon  these  eternal  and  invisible  things ;  and  thou 
art  also  consummating  thj  work.  We  behold  on  every 
side  tliose  who  are  growing  in  grace  and  in  the  know- 
ledo:e  of  the  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  and  who  are 
becoming  more  lovely,  in  that  they  are  showing  to  us 
-nore  and  more  what  Christ  is,  by  their  sweet  self-denial 
<hat  glows  with  all  the  glories  of  piety  and  blessedness, 
find  teaches  us  how  joyful  it  is  to  deny  ourselves  in  love 
for  others.  By  their  patience,  by  their  meekness,  by  their 
love,  by  all  the  things  that  they  do  like  their  Master, 
they  are  teaching  us  of  him.  And  we  thank  thee  that 
there  are  so  many  of  them,  and  that  thou  hast  planted 
them  in  so  many  families. 

We  thank  thee  that  thou  hast  appointed  the  Gospel  to 
be  preached  in  so  many  ways  besides  the  exposition  of 
the  letter.  We  rejoice  that  thou  hast  living  epistles 
borne  about  in  every  part  of  human  life,  and  everywhere 
declaring  the  truths  of  God.  We  rejoice  that  even  the 
root  is  so  fragrant  and  sweet,  growing  upon  the  earth 
and  blossoming  only  in  heaven  ;  we  rejoice  that  the  very 
beginnings  of  gracious  aifections  and  true  Christian 
character  here  are  so  noble  and  so  satisfying. 

And  now,  O  Lord,  we  beseech  of  thee,  that  thou  wilt 
make  every  one  of  us  put  before  us  the  glory  of  Christ 
Jesus.  May  we  look  upon  him  as  our  model ;  may  we 
take  him  as  our  Saviour ;  may  we  rest  in  him  and  receive 
the  power  of  God  through  our  faith.  We  beseech  of 
thee  that  every  one  of  us  may  look  for  the  coming  of 
that  glorious  day  of  deliverance  from  sin,  and  perfection 
in  holiness.  May  we  live,  not  only  as  seeing  him  who  is 
iuN^'bible,  but  may  the  world  of  glory  never  be  below  our 


•208  beecher's  pulpit  devotio:n-s. 

horizon,  and  may  it  always  shine  as  the  guiding  star. 

Teach  us  every  day  to  measure  the  things  of  this  world 
and  of  time,  by  the  thought  and  the  measure  of  thy  sanc- 
tuary. Deliver  us,  from  despondency  and  doubt,  and 
may  we  become  strono;  in  the  Lord.  Deliver  us  from 
overweening  conceit  and  from  vainglorj^  May  we  glory 
in  our  God ;  may  the  life  that  we  live  in  the  flesh  be  the 
life  of  Christ  in  us ;  may  we  rejoice  more  and  more  in 
the  nutriment  of  sweet  affections  and  in  all  the  graces 
which  are  brought  forth  in  us  by  the  divine  Spirit.  We 
beseech  thee  that  not  only  we  may  thus  live,  but  may 
we  be  able  by  our  affection,  and  sympathy,  and  labor  to 
bring  others  with  us.  May  every  one  of  us  be  able  to 
carry  with  us  bright  bands  of  friends,  marching  together 
with  one  step  along  the  same  road  to  the  same  hope,  and 
to  the  same  forelooking. 

We  "beseech  of  thee  that  we  may  feel  every  day  that 
we  are  growing  richer.  May  we  every  day  feel  that  age 
is  not  deprivation ;  and  that  all  the  signs  and  tokens 
which  come  of  weakness — the  failure  of  one  sense  and 
another,  the  weakening  of  one  part  of  this  mortal  body 
and  another,  are  but  the  premonitions  of  the  strik- 
ing of  the  tents  in  the  camp  of  the  wilderness ;  and  may 
we  see  in  these  things  but  the  preparations  for  going  for- 
ward to  cross  the  Jordan  into  the  promised  land. 

May  we  look  less  and  less  wistfully  upon  the  things 
that  are  and  are  taken  hold  of  by  our  senses  ;  and  more 
and  more  may  we  rejoice  in  the  things  that  are  not  to 
other  men,  and  are  to  us  by  faith.  May  we  not  be  afraid 
for  those,  around  about  whom  are  the  everlasting  anns, 
and  for  whom  is  an  eternal  salvation.  May  we  look  forth 
from  out  of  all  things,  saying  undauntedly, ''  If  God  be  for 
us,  who  can  be  against  us  ;"  and  so  established  and  con- 


TEIUMPIIS    OVER   SIN   AND   DEATH.  209 

firmed,  may  we  approve  ourselves  before  thee  and  rejoice 
thee.  Give  it  to  us  to  make  our  Father  glad ;  and  we 
beseech  of  tliee,  that  thus,  day  by  day,  we  may  live  in 
this  divine  communion  and  in  the  fruition  of  these 
spiritual  things. 

But,  Lord  Jesus !  Divine  Saviour !  this  must  be  thy 
work.  To  will  is  present  with  us,  but  how  to  perform 
we  know  not.  We  are  veiy  weak,  we  are  very  ignorant. 
The  things  even  which  we  know,  we  do  not  do ;  the 
things  that  are  good  we  do  not  realize,  and  the  things 
that  are  evil  we  perform,  and  we  exceedingly  need  thy 
forbearance,  thy  grace,  thy  sustaining  help.  And  this 
morning  v/e  take  hold  of  thy  promises;  thou  hast  de- 
clared that  thou  wilt  abide  with  us ;  thou  hast  declared 
that  thou  wilt  never  leave  us  nor  forsake  us.  Thou  hast 
sent  thy  servants  to  declare  that,  having  given  thine  own 
life,  tliou  wilt  with  thyself  give  freely  all  needed  things ; 
and  therefore,  out  of  our  weakness  we  lift  ourselves  up, 
still  crying.  Forget  us  not,  O  our  Father ;  neither  leave 
us  in  our  sins,  nor  forsake  us  in  our  iniquities,  but  draw 
lis  with  sweet  forgiveness,  with  all  blessed  promises,  with 
all  brio-hter  and  brio-hter  shinins^  hopes.  Draw  us  toward 
thee,  and  being  quickened,  may  we  help  each  other. 

May  we  not  live  among  our  fellows  steeling  ourselves 
more  and  more,  and  growing  harder  and  harder  by  the 
experience  of  worldly  want,  but  may  we  grow  more  and 
more  like  God  and  heaven ;  and  to  the  end  grow  more 
gracious,  helpful,  and  sweet-minded ;  and,  when  at  last 
thou  hast  served  thyself  by  us,  may  we  fall  asleep  in 
Jesus  and  find  it  no  sleep,  but  eyerlasting  waking  in 
Jesus.  And  when  w^e  stand  before  thee  to  see  ourselves, 
that  we  are  wearing  thine  image,  and  that  we  are  like 
unto  thee,  when  we  stand  before  thee  at  last  satisfied^ 


210  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

after  all  restlessness,  tossings,  and  yearnings  unutterable,  to 
know  tlie  full  meaning  of  tliat  word  satisfied^  we  will  give 
the  praise  of  our  salvation  to  the  Father,  to  the  Spirit, 
and  to  thee,  O  faithful  Saviour,  evermore.     Amen. 


CLOSING  PRAYER. 

Our  Father,  we  beseech  of  thee,  add  the  blessing  of  thy  spirit  to  the 
word  spokeu,  and  grant  that  it  may  not  be  in  vain  that  it  is  spoken.  May 
we  all  of  us  take  heed.  May  we  search  our  hearts  and  our  motives. 
May  wo  look  into  our  desires  and  aspirations  and  ambitions.  May  we 
examine  everything  that  is  active  within  us,  to  know  whetlier  it  is  in  the 
way  of  right  and  duty  and  purity,  and  whether  it  is  tending  upward  to- 
ward God,  or  whether  it  is  tending  downward  and  growing  stronger  in 
selfishness  and  pride  and  wickedness.  0  that  we  may  hasten,  by  repent- 
ance and  reformation,  to  escape  from  the  results  of  sin  and  from  sin  itself. 

Grant  that  those  in  thy  presence  who  are  in  much  peril — the  young, 
and  those  who  are  in  the  midst  of  the  whirl  of  giddy  life — may  be 
apprized  of  their  danger,  0  that  the  immortal  trutli  of  the  moral 
government  under  which  they  live  might  come  down  upon  them.  0  make 
them  feel  what  is  the  blessedness  of  purity  and  virtue  and  faithfulness  in 
the  service  of  God  and  his  cause.  Make  them  to  fear  the  awfulness  of 
temptation  and  sin.  0  that  there  might  be  reformation  among  those  that 
are  wicked.  0  that  those  that  have  begim  to  reform  might  add  to  their 
speed  and  to  the  earnestness  of  their  endeavor. 

0  Lord  God,  revive  thy  work  in  the  hearts  of  men.  Prepare  thy  servants 
to  labor  for  thee  and  their  fellow-men.  Wake  up  all  that  have  the  faith 
of  Christ  in  their  souls.  May  they  be  shining  lights  in  the  world,  that 
others  seeing  them  may  be  led  to  thee.  Hear  these  our  petitions,  and 
answer  them,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake.     Amen. 


WE  KNOW  NOT  WHAT  WE  SHALL  BE. 


Sabbath  Morning. 

INYOCATION. 

"We  thank  thee  for  more  mercies  than  we  can  number,  for  thou,  0  God, 
art  a  Father,  and  we  know  that  we  are  thy  children,  because  on  every 
side  we  have  the  tokens  of  tliy  love,  thy  patience,  thy  care  and  faithful- 
ness. And  we  desire  to  recognize  thee  more  perfectly  in  thy  gifts ;  and 
since  we  are  weak  and  thou  art  strong,  since  we  are  poor  and  thou  art  rich  in 
all  excellence,  since  we  are  feeble  and  undiscerning  and  thou  art  clear  and 
penetrating  afar  off,  knowing  the  end  from  the  beginning,  we  come  to  thee, 
that  we  may  receive  something  of  thy  fullness,  for  the  promise  is  that 
thou  wilt  give  liberally  wisdom  and  all  good  gifts  to  them  that  ask ;  and 
we  believe  the  promise,  and  we  come  with  unfaltering  faith  asking  thee  to 
do  that  for  us  which  we  need.  Prepare  us  for  the  reading  of  thy  word ; 
prepare  us  to  take  from  it  all  the  fullness  and  sweetness  of  its  meaning ; 
prepare  us  to  speak  it ;  and  to  enlarge  and  apply  its  truths  to  our  actual 
want ;  prepare  us  to  accept  it.  Grant  us  nearness  of  approach  to  thee  in 
prayer ;  may  we  take  hold,  not  of  the  hem  of  thy  garment  but  of  thine 
outstretched  hand ;  yea,  peradventure,  there  be  some  that  thou  wilt  take  to 
thy  very  bosom  like  the  favored  disciple,  that  they  may  rest  their  head 
there.  Prepare  us  to  sing  thy  praises.  "We  rejoice  before  thee ;  we  thank 
thee  that  we  can  sing  and  praise  thee  together  in  the  sweet  fellowship  of 
mutual  love  and  of  love  to  God.  Help  us  to  approach  thee  in  prayer ; 
make  the  way  easy,  and  inspire  us  with  right  thoughts  and  right  words ; 
and  so  may  thy  bountiful  blessing  rest  upon  the  exercises  of  the  sanctuary. 
and  follow  down  hence  through  all  the  hours  of  the  day  wherever  they 
may  be  spent.     We  ask  it  for  Christ's  sake.     Amen. 

BEFORE   SERMOK. 

Thou  hast  lifted  up  the  light  upon  the  earth  and 
caused  the  day  to  know  the  time  of  its  going  forth.  W? 
thank  thee  that  thou  hast  also  lifted  the  clear  light  of  the 


212  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

sun  upon  our  earthly  way,  and  liatli  revealed  uuto  us 
both  the  darkness  and  the  light,  so  that  we  no  longer 
are  dim,  as  they  that  dwell  in  twilight.  To  us  that 
sat  in  darkness  hath  arisen  a  great  light.  Plow  short  our 
life  is,  if  we  have  no  life  but  this !  How  are  Tve  spent 
before  we  are  ready  to  begin !  How,  in  all  our  early 
need,  do  we  grope  for  knowledge,  and  find  ourselves 
possessed  of  skill,  and  experience,  and  some  discipline  of 
affection  only  when  our  faces  are  begun  to  be  veiled  in 
age,  and  we  are  treading  down  to  the  grave  ! 

Our  life  is  too  short  for  much  of  labor ;  and  since  the 
world  began,  each  man  has  but  thrown  his  mite  into  the 
treasury,  nor  knew  where  it  went ;  nor  lived  to  see 
wdiere  it  should  be  placed  in  the  great  temple  which 
God  builds  in  time.  We  are  not  permitted  to  live  for 
ourselves,  and  to  say  :  "  Eat,  drink,  and  to-morrow  die." 
"We  are  not  permitted  to  forget  that  we  have  powers  that 
should  call  for  our  highest  exertion,  and  yet  we  come  so 
slowly  to  any  skill  and  power.  The  period  of  working 
is  so  short,  and  freiglited  with  so  many  interruptions,  and 
broken  into  too  many  times  before  it  is  at  all  used.  We 
are  so  like  tapers  that  burn  at  longest  but  for  the  hours 
of  the  night,  but  are  blown  out  by  rude  winds  that  strike 
through  at  any  hour  ;  we  are  so  weak  in  our  individual 
selves,  and  they  with  whom  we  associate  so  uncongenial 
often,  that  our  life  seems  a  strange  mockery. 

We  wonder  why  we  were  born  into  such  a  fate,  and 
being  born,  why  things  were  not  better — why  there  was 
not  more  impulsion  for  good,  and  less  drawing  tovrard 
inevitable  evil.  And  if  there  was  no  light  but  that  which 
our  own  minds  could  bring,  we  could  cheer  ourselves 
with  but  little  that  would  be  worthy  of  a  thouglit,  and 
our  life  itself  would  be  our  sadness;  and  death  good,  only 


WE   KNOW  NOT   WHAT   WE   SHALL   BE.  213 

as  extinguisliing  sorrow.  Bat  now  life  and  immortality 
are  brought  to  liglit ;  now,  thia  whole  life  is  but  the  gray 
morning,  and  not  the  day  itself. 

Here  it  doth  not  even  appear  what  we  shall  be.  Here 
we  know  not  our  own  leaves,  nor  blossoms,  nor  fruit. 
This  is  not  our  soil ;  for,  as  the  things  that  are  sown  in  the 
winter,  to  be  transplanted  when  the  summer  shall  come, 
do  not  know  their  own  home,  nor  recognize  what  they 
shall  be,  confined  and  shut  in ;  so,  we  are  but  being 
broujxht  forward,  to  be  turned  out  into  full  soil  and  branch- 
ing  room  when  thou  shalt  give  us  planting  in  heaven. 
JSTow,  though  we  take  the  wings  of  the  morning  and  fly 
to  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth — yea,  though  we  wing 
ourselves  with  faith  and  imagination,  and,  touched  of 
God  with  sacred  inspiration,  go  like  flames  upward,  and 
think  into  heaven  itself,  it  doth  not  yet  appear:  yea 
thoug^h  we  take  the  sweetest  assurances  of  afi'ection  and 
augment  them  by  the  power  of  our  imagination,  and  sur- 
round ourselves  with  the  returning  virtues  of  all  whom 
we  loved,  with  the  glorified  friendship  of  those  whom 
our  hearts  have  touched  in  life,  though  we  kindle  on  the 
altar  of  our  heart  by  imagination  all  high  and  generous 
purposes,  it  doth  not  yet  appear  what  we  shall  be. 

"We  know  not  our  glorified  faculties  ;  we  know  not 
what  this  sense  of  right,  this  conscience  that  gropes 
so  darkly  on  earth,  and  punishes  more  than  it  gives 
reward,  what  it  shall  mean  when  thou  shalt  give  liberty 
and  sweet  fruition  and  comfort  of  good.  We  know 
not,  when  the  tide  of  God's  nature  shall  roll  divine 
beneficence  through  our  faltering  feeling  of  benevolence, 
what  shall  that  life  be  then.  We  know  not,  when  all  our 
tastes  are  quickened ;  when  all  that  is  in  our  worship 
and  rejoicing  therein  shall  have  been  purified  and  lifted 


214  beecher's  rULPIT  devotioxs. 

up,  and  we  ensphered  among  influences  every  one  of 
wliicli  touches  for  purity;  every  one  of  which,  touching 
v/ith  joy  and  music,  rises  yet  to  blessings  more  and  more  ; 
we  know  not  what  that  life  shall  be  in  all  its  amplitude 
and  in  all  the  infinite  richness  of  its  details  ;  but  this  we 
know,  that  it  will  be  enough,  and  that  we  may  well  bear 
the  discomforts  of  life.  What  to  us,  now  is  groping  in 
darkness,  who  know  that  the  morning  shall  come  ? 
What  to  us  are  burdens  that  seem  to  crush  us  to  the 
earth,  who  know  that  we  shall  not  go  down  to  the  earth  ? 
What  are  sorrows  that  vex  and  interfere  with  the  fair 
pictures  which  our  fancy  paints  here,  who  know 
that  we  shall  be  lifted  up  above  all  tears  which  God 
shall  wipe  from  every  eye ;  and  that  we  shall  not  walk 
in  terror,  despised,  oppressed,  outcast,  pursued  with 
varied  misfortunes,  but  in  the  serene  beatitudes  of  heaven, 
kings  and  priests,  where  the  king  shall  be  without  power 
of  oppression  and  the  priest  shall  be  without  circumscrip- 
tion and  limitation  ;  where  we  shall  be  sons  of  God, 
standing  in  the  joint  inheritance  vfith  him  ? 

Most  precious  Jesus,  Our  Saviour,  we  turn  again,  we 
have  looked  into  these  things ;  we  take  comfort  even  as 
watchers  that  look  toward  the  growing  East  to  go  back 
to  our  tasks.  We  will  let  the  day  rise,  nor  trouble  our- 
selves how  fast  its  hours  come.  We  stand  in  our  lot. 
We  thank  thee  for  our  birth.  There  are  no  troubles  too 
heavy ;  there  are  no  cares  and  sorrows  too  many ;  they 
are  all  sent  of  God.  Tliou  that  dost  clothe  the  summer, 
and  take  care  of  the  very  weeds ;  thou  that  dost  permit 
the  things  that  are  noxious  to  us,  but  are  wholesome  to 
themselves,  to  grow  ;  thou  that  dost  take  care  of  all  the 
insects  that  sing  swarming  in  the  endless  multitudes  of 
creation ;   thou  tliat  dost  watch  for  the  very  birds  ;  thou 


AVE    KXOV/   NOT   WHAT   WE   SHALL    BE.  215 

that  art  tlie  lover  of  tlie  very  minutest  tilings,  and  with 
vale  and  mountain  dost  muse  and  care  for  that  which 
thou  dost  create ;  why  should  we  be  afraid  since  we  are 
named  with  thy  name,  since  we  are  marked  v^rith  the 
signet  of  thy  grace,  since  we  have  given  our  life  into 
thy  hand,  since  our  souls  are  in  thy-  hands,  since  we 
dwell  in  thy  house,  and  are  consecrated  to  thee,  why 
should  we  trouble  ourselves  and  plough  the  furrows  of 
distress  ? 

Oh  Lord  our  God,  we  beseech  of  thee  that  thou  wilt 
cause  us  to  be  full  of  joy  as  we  should  be ;  to  lift  up  the 
eye  of  inspired  faith  ;  to  take  hold  of  the  hope  by  which 
we  are  to  be  saved.  Grant,  we  entreat  of  thee,  that  we 
may  walk  henceforth  more  erect ;  less  bent  as  men  that 
carry  burdens;  less  sordid  and  more  and  more  stately, 
for  we  are  dependent  upon  the  care  of  him  that  never 
wilt  leave  us  nor  forsake  us. 

Are  there  any  that  have  come  up  hither  with  burdens  ? 
Already  have  not  they  begun  to  relax  ?  Let  the  burden 
roll  off  from  every  shoulder,  at  the  foot  of  the  cross ;  may 
they  find  rest  where  thou  foundest  burdened  man  wait- 
ing, and  may  we  find  nothing  but  lightness  and  joy. 
We  beseech  of  thee,  if  there  are  those  tliat  are  called 
hither  this  morning  with  great  trouble  of  heart,  great 
afflictions,  O  may  they  find  how  bright  even  storms  are 
when  the  sun  can  but  once  reach  them  ;  may  they  know 
how  to  take  their  griefs,  though  they  come  like  great 
drops  of  rain  and  fall  down  like  showers.  O  may  they 
know  how  to  carry  all  their  trouble  to  Christ ;  or  rather, 
in  the  midst  of  the  cloud  and  darkness  may  they  discern 
the  form  of  another  near  them,  and  feel  how  rich  they 
are  in  poverty  and  sorrow  by  the  side  of  whom  Christ 
stands. 


216  eeecher's  riTLPiT  devotions. 

O,  Lord  Jesus,  wliat  wondrous  condescension !  O,  wliat 
is  tliere  in  us,  tliat  tliou  sliouldst  take  such  pains  to  lo\^e 
US  ;  tliat  tliou  sliouldst  be  willing  to  punish  us ;  that  tliou 
shouldst  be  willing  to  take  the  part  of  father  or  mother 
and  watch  over  our  outgoings  and  incomings,  reproving 
us  and  teaching  us  the  right  way ;  and  that  with  many 
experiences  thou  shouldst  enforce  thy  rules,  still  follow- 
ing after  us  to  deliver  us  from  our  troubles !  How  sacred 
is  this  care  of  God  over  us  who  deserve  nothing ;  who 
have  no  claim;  who  are  less  than  the  least  before  the 
mightiness  of  God ;  yet  how  dost  thou  make  thyself 
humble  like  us  to  dwell  with  the  heart-broken. 

O  Lord  !  thou  art  revealed  in  the  majesty  of  thy 
greatness,  but  more  in  the  fruits  of  thy  humiliation  than 
any  thing  else  to  our  thought ;  that  thou  shouldst  weep 
with  us  in  our  distresses ;  that  thou  shouldst  bind  up  our 
broken  hearts  ;  that  thou  shouldst  cheer  us  in  the  midst 
of  fragmentary  hopes  ;  that  thou  shouldst  make  the  dis- 
asters of  this  v/orld  reflect  from  so  many  faces  of  diamond 
stones,  each  face  a  vision  of  heaven  ;  that  thou  shouldst 
make  us  to  see  in  our  darkness  ten  thousand  suns  shining 
afar  off  in  the  heavens ;  that  tliou  shouldst  continue  thy 
way  and  never  be  weary,  not  forgetting  more  than  tlie 
mother  her  sucking  child ;  that  this  should  be  God 
eternal,  and  everywhere,  spreading  abroad,  filling 
heaven  and  overflowing  the  earth;  our  God,  in 
whom  we  have  a  right,  and  whom  we  call  Father ;  who 
lays  sacred  hands  upon  us  day  by  day ;  who  numbers  our 
sleeping  hours  and  watches  our  waking  hours,  who  is 
before  us  and  behind  us,  and  all  round  about  us  with 
thoughts  of  grace  and  mercy !  O  what  wealth,  what  un- ' 
deserved  riches,  what  grace  beyond  all  conception,  is 
thine  to  us  ! 


WE   KNOW    NOT   WHAT   WE    SHALL   BE.  21 7 

And  now,  Lord  God,  tliou  doest  not  tliese  things  for  a 
reward.  It  is  not  that  we  can  pay  thee  back  with  glad 
thoughts  and  grateful  affections,  yet,  for  our  own  sake 
may  we  love  thee,  and  not  to  pay  thee  any  thing.  Thou 
art  too  generous  to  think  of  return,  for  thy  grace  is  a 
gift,  absolute  and  divine.  O  may  we  be  unable  to  think 
of  such  things  and  not  have  our  hearts  melt.  May  there 
be  such  honor,  may  there  be  something  like  thee  in  us, 
that  shall  be  touched  with  all  this  grandeur  of  grace  and 
various  divine  mercy.  May  we  feel  after  thee ;  still 
calling  out  in  the  darkness,  as  children  waking  in  the 
night  call  fatlier,  so  may  we  call  out  for  God ;  and  at 
times,  even  if  we  do  not  hear  thy  voice,  may  there  be  a 
foi'm  of  a  hand  resting  upon  us,  and  that  shall  be  enough  ; 
for  we  shall  take  hold  of  it,  though  it  be  in  the  dai-k,  and 
it  shall  guide  us  to  the  growing  light ;  for  the  day  shall 
come,  and  the  release  and  triumph.  Therefore,  with  this 
firm  hope  and  faith  ma}^  we  now  go  forward,  not  caring 
what  men  shall  do  unto  us.  Ours  is  God,  and  we  can 
dispense  with  every  thing  else  ;  we  fear  thee,  and  there- 
fore we  fear  no  other  one ;  we  love  thee,  and  are  un- 
speakably rich  therefor,  though  there  were  no  other  love 
for  us.  We  desire,  therefore,  O  God,  that  we  may  be 
upheld  in  our  duties  one  toward  another.  Make  our 
households  more  like  an  altar,  an  offering,  a  church  of 
God. 

We  beseech  of  thee,  O  God,  that  thou  wilt  have  com- 
passion upon  all  those  that  do  not  know  thee.  Help  us  to 
spread  the  blessings  of  this  Gospel  knowledge  to  those 
that  are  without  it.  Look  abroad  upon  this  whole  land; 
we  believe  it  is  thine  ;  make  it  a  mountain  of  holiness,  a 
habitation  of  righteousness.  O,  thou  that  dost  laugh 
when  kings  confer  how  to  despise  thee,  when  rulers  join 

10 


218  beeohee's  pulpit  deyotio:n"s. 

themselves  togetlier,  and  wicked  men  make  counsel  and 
confederation,  thou  that  dost  laugh  at  them,  and  smile 
upon  such  in  our  time  that  do  not  deserve  even  derision 
in  tlieir  infinite  feebleness — have  compassion  upon  them 
that  seek  to  make  chains  stronger  than  the  law  of  God ; 
that  seek  to  bind  those  that  are  already  hopelessly 
crushed ;  and  that  seelv:  to  make  highways  of  iniquity 
where  God  has  cast  up  with  sacred  enginery  the  high- 
ways of  salvation. 

O  thou  that  in  justice  art  full  of  love,  overrule  the  folly 
as  well  as  the  wickedness  of  men.  Bring  forth  thy  bright 
decrees,  and  let  righteousness  begin  to  be  glorious  in  the 
sight  of  men,  and  rebuke  every  kind  of  wickedness.  May 
all  the  iniquities  of  injustice  and  oppression,  may  all  the 
misrule  and  untruth,  may  all  selfislmess  and  hardness  of 
heart,  all  arrogance,  all  avarice,  and  every  thing 
that  has  opposed  thee,  be  rebuked  both  by  thy  provi- 
dence and  by  the  church  of  God  ;  and  we  beseech  of  thee 
that  thine  own  people  may  not  be  the  last  to  recognize 
the  glory  of  holiness  in  human  aifairs,  but  first  and 
chiefest. 

Call  forth  witnesses,  0  call  thou  forth  those  that  shall 
stand  in  human  affairs  for  God,  and  may  we  be  of  their 
number.  May  every  one  of  us  in  his  place  be  anxious, 
and  bear  witness,  not  for  the  truth,  nor  for  himself,  but 
for  the  God  of  truth  and  the  cause  of  God  in  the  church 
upon  earth.  May  thy  kingdom  come  everywhere ;  may 
all  nations  see  the  salvation  of  God.  The  earth  hath  been 
stranded;  and  for  want  of  w^aterhath  not  been  able  to  go 
on  its  voyage.  O  thou  in  whose  hands  are  the  floods, 
send  down  those  waves  that  shall  lift  up  thy  ship  and 
give  it  channel  and  voyage  again ;  and  may  the  day 
hasten  when  all  around  the  earth,  in  the  midst  of  light 


WE    KNOW    NOT   WHAT   WE    SHALL   BE.  219 

and  knowled'ie,  the  li^^lit  of  virtue  and  true  civilization , 
in  Christianity ;  when  all  around  the  earth  among  the 
many -tongued  people  of  this  globe,  there  shall  be  but  one 
thought  of  peace,  of  gladness,  of  purity,  of  justice,  of  love 
toward  God  and  toward  men,  and  the  word  of  the  Lord 
fulfilled,  that  was  uttered  ages  ago  and  is  yet  unfulfilled, 
and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  fill  the  earth  as  the  waters  fill 
the  sea ;  and  to  thy  name  shall  be  the  praise,  now  and 
evermore.     Amen. 


CLOSING   PRAYER. 

Our  heavenly  Father,  we  beseech  of  thee  that  thou  wilt  grant  thy 
blessing  upon  the  word  spoken.  Grant  that  we  may  have  cheer  from  on 
high.  May  we  not  look  down  into  dungeons  for  daybreak,  but  away  over 
God's  hills.  May  we  look  up  where  the  stars  are,  and  there,  discerning 
the  signs  of  the  morning,  may  we  begin  to  rejoice.  We  beseech  of  theo 
that  thou  wilt  fill  us  with  patience.  Grant  unto  us  open-eyed  visions  of 
faith,  and  give  us  courage.  Help  us  to  say  to  doubt,  "  Get  thee  behind 
me,  Satan  1"  and  may  it  obey.  And  grant,  we  beseech  of  thee,  that  by 
thine  own  royal  power  this  land,  suffering  and  bleeding,  may  be  lifted  up. 
0  blessed  God,  as  aforetime  thou  didst  send  angels  to  minister  to  liim 
that  was  bowed  down,  so  send  angels,  we  beseech  of  thee,  to  put  to  the 
lips  of  this  expiring  land  that  heavenly  wine  which  shall  fill  her  again 
with  life,  and  with  power  to  suffer  more,  if  need  be,  that  through  suffer- 
ing she  may  conquer.  Lord,  we  leave  this  country  in  thine  hand.  It  is 
thine  more  than  ours.  Our  love  for  it  was  lent  by  thee.  If  with  our 
little  hearts  we  still  do  surge  wilh  such  desires,  0,  what  must  be  the  deep 
desire  of  the  great  ocean  of  thy  nature?  Why  then  should  we  lift  our- 
selves up  to  implead  thee  who  art  stirring  us  up  with  new  zeals  and  new 
desires?     We  trust  thee.     Our  hope  is  in  thee. 

0,  thou  who  was  the  God  of  our  fathers,  and  who  art  our  God,  we 
plead  for  thy  cause ;  we  plead  for  the  cause  of  the  poor  and  the  father- 
less, and  the  oppressed;  we  plead  for  the  degraded  of  the  common  people; 
we  plead  for  the  ignorant ;  we  plead  for  our  enemies ;  we  plead  for  our 
friends ;  we  plead  for  ourselves.  Come,  0  Lord  Jesus,  long  delaying, 
pluck  that  veil  from  thy  face  which  hides  thy  light;  draw  that  hand 
forth  from  thy  bosom  that  covers  the  beating  of  thine  own  heart;  reach 
out  thy  hand,  nail-pierced,  and  show  mercy  to  this  land.  Lead  us  through 
judgment  at  last  to  redemption.  And  to  thy  great  name  shall  be  all 
praise  and  honor,  for  ever  and  for  ever.     Amen. 


GOD  OUR  REFUGE— HEAVEN  NEAR. 


AN  EVENING  PRATER. 


Thou,  O  God,  hast  made  thyself  a  refuge  for  thy 
people  since  the  world  began,  and  unto  the  end  thou  art 
and  shalt  be  a  God  full  of  tender  compassion.  Because 
thou  art  strong,  thou  art  not  forgetful  of  the  weak ; 
because  thou  art  pure,  thou  dost  not  despise  the  sinful ; 
because  thou  art  wise,  thou  dost  not  lightly  esteem  us  in 
our  ignorance;  but  the  boundlessness  of  thy  nature  is 
addressed  to  us  as  a  universal  supply  of  our  want.  Thou 
dost  throw  round  about  us  the  protection  of  thine  own 
being.  In  thee  we  live,  and  move,  and  have  our  being — 
and,  although  at  times  thou  seemest  to  forget,  thou  never 
dost  forget ;  and  although  at  times  thou  seemest  cruel, 
thou  dost  not  willingly  aiSict  nor  grieve  the  children  of 
men.  Although  thy  yoke  is  harshly  placed  upon  our 
neck,  and  thy  burden  bound  upon  our  shoulders,  what 
time  thou  pleasest  thy  yoke  becomes  easy  and  thy  burden 
light. 

O  God,  we  bear  witness  to  the  bounty  of  thy  grace  and 
to  its  sufficiency  ;  as  our  day  hath  been  so  has  been  our 
streno-th.  Thou  hast  ministered  to  us.  Thou  hast  not 
taken  sorrow  away,  for  then  we  had  lacked  grace ;  thou 
hast  not  taken  away  from  us  weakness,  for  then  we  had 
no  longer  been  human ;  but  thou  hast  given  thine  own 
shining   self,   thy   guidance,  thy   infinite   patience,  thy 


222  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

sympathy,  by  wliicli  we  are  drawn  onward  through  all 
ways  of  trouble.  Thou  hast  given  us  to  lean  upon  thee. 
"When  faint,  thou  hast  held  us  up ;  when  fallen,  thou 
hast  lifted  us,  even  as  a  mother  her  little  child ;  when 
wandering  alone,  it  was  thy  step  that  sounded  in  the 
wilderness — thou  didst  come  forth  to  seek  and  to  save 
the  lost ;  v/hen  famished,  thou  hast  been  the  bread  of 
supply  and  sustenance;  when  sick,  thou  hast  been 
medicine  to  us  and  the  physician ;  thou  hast  nourished 
us  with  a  care  exceeding  all  the  tenderness  of  parental 
love — for  what  is  there  that  is  known  under  tlie  name  of 
earthly  relationship,  what  depth  of  love  and  continuance 
of  it,  what  variation  of  love  to  which  men  have  put  names, 
that  is  more  than  a  spark  that  has  fled  from  the  great  orb 
of  thy  being?  Thou  art  love,  and  all  the  fullness  of  thy 
being  comes  forth  to  us,  th}'-  children,  and  in  thee  we  are 
strong  and  safe  both  now  and  for  evermore.  For  if  we 
behold  thee,  Invisible  One,  then  we  can  live ;  if  we 
behold  not  thee,  then  we  die.  With  thee  we  are  strong 
for  all  things,  but  without  thee  weak. 

"We  thank  thee,  thou  blessed  Saviour,  for  thy  patience 
with  us,  for  the  gentleness  of  thy  being,  for  all  the 
encouragements  of  thy  word,  for  all  the  remembrances 
which  thou  hast  caused  us  to  have  of  thy  faithfulness. 
"We  take  shame  to  ourselves  for  our  ingratitude,  our  self- 
ishness, our  pride,  our  unspiiituality  and  indifference  to 
God.  We  are  ashamed  of  our  fractious  disobedience,  that 
we  have  rebelled  again  and  again ;  we  are  not  worthy 
to  call  ourselves  by  thy  name,  nor  to  abide  in  thine 
house,  nor  to  be  as  children  in  the  presence  of  a  father — 
but  thou  hast  not  heard  and  will  not  hear  the  word  of 
our  renunciation.  "What  time  we  plead  our  poverty, 
what  time  we  come  abjectly  to  ask  for  the  lowest  place, 


GOD    OUR    PwEFUGE — HEAVEISr   XEAE.  223 

thou  dost  throw  about  us  the  royal  robe  of  forgiveness ; 
thou  dost  put  sandals  upon  our  feet  and  a  ring  upon  our 
hand ;  thou  callest  for  the  preparation  of  the  feast,  and 
we  are  received  again  in  the  estate  of  children  in  our 
Father's  house.  We  thank  thee  that  thou  art  giving  thy 
dwelling  to  every  one  of  us.  And  now  we  make  men- 
tion in  the  assembly  of  thy  faithfulness.  We  praise 
thee,  we  adore  thee,  we  worship  with  rejoicing  in  thy 
presence.  Our  sin  has  been  common,  our  weakness 
common,  our  want  and  likewise  our  experience  of  thy 
supernal  bounty;  and  we  have  a  common  reason  for 
standing  together  in  gladness  to-night.  We  express  a 
common  want  in  our  sinfulness  and  weakness,  and  a 
common  gladness  in  our  thanksgiving  and  praises.  Thou 
hast  not  dealt  with  us  according  as  we  deserved ;  thou 
hast  caused  mercy  to  abound  and  superabound  beyond 
our  desert. 

Our  chastisements  have  been  fewer  than  our  sins,  and 
when  thou  has  mingled  bitterness  in  our  cup,  thou  hast 
still  forborne ;  thou  hast  watched  our  need,  ever  taking 
counsel  of  the  generosity  of  thine  own  heart — thou  hast 
dealt  according  to  the  measure  that  was  in  thee,  and 
not  according  to  the  measure  of  desert  in  us.  Our  souls 
are  glad  in  thee ;  thou  shalt  live  forever,  and  because 
thou  livest,  we  shall  live  also,  and  all  our  way  is  plain 
and  smooth.  We  behold  salvation  waiting  for  us ;  we 
reach  over  by  faith,  we  take  hold  of  our  crown  of 
victory.  There  remaineth  a  rest  for  us  if  by  unbelief  we 
do  not  forfeit  it.  Ere  long  we  shall  take  it.  ISTone  shall 
have  om'  crown  ;  none  usurp  our  place ;  all  the  flowing 
in  of  infinite  numbers  doth  not  fill  up  the  places  of 
heaven.  There  is  room  for  all ;  room  for  us  there  is  and 
shall  be. 


224  beecher's  PULPn'  devotions. 

We  thank  tliee  that  tliou  art  planting  more  and  more 
the  tokens  of  its  coming.  As  they  that  draw  near  to 
populous  cities  see  the  swelling  evidences  thereof  on 
every  side,  beholding  the  throngs  that  come  and  go, 
all  the  tokens  of  thickening  habitation,  so,  thou  art 
causing  us  to  behold  the  near  approaches  to  heaven  in 
every  day  and  on  every  side.  The  things  that  come  to 
us  and  the  things  that  depart  from  us,  the  weaknesses 
showing  the  giving  out  of  strength  and  the  taking  down 
of  the  tabernacle,  the  dimness  of  sight,  the  dullness  of 
hearing,  the  slowness  of  motion,  the  growth  of  pains 
and  infirmities,  the  weariness  of  life  itself,  the  cessation 
of  more  active  duties,  what  are  these  but  signals  which 
thou  art  giving  to  us,. the  yearning  for  rest,  the  longing 
for  those  that  are  gone  out  from  us,  the  sympathy  with 
the  general  assembly  and  the  church  of  the  first  born — 
what  are  these  but  sweet  and  golden  cords  let  down  that 
are  drawing  us  in  thine  own  pleasure,  and  we  are  drawn 
of  them  toward  tliee  ?  Even  so,  come  Lord  Jesus,  come 
quickly.  Thou  art  coming — thou  art  drawing  near  to 
us. 

Aye,  many  of  us  thou  art  warning  by  thy  very  presence 
in  our  dwellings  ;  thou  art  taking  those  from  out  of  our 
midst  near  to  us,  thou  bringest  tliera  yet  nearer  to  thee. 
How  can  we  help  seeking  God  when  his  bosom  is  the 
cradle  of  our  children  ?  How  can  we  but  know  heaven, 
when  with  tears  and  heart-achings  we  walk  all  round 
about  it  to  seek  those  that  earth  hath  not  any  more  but 
in  memory  ;  thou  art  making  the  way  familiar,  thou  art 
making  it  joyful.  We  are  following  in  the  path  of  those 
that  sang  and  prayed  and  labored  with  us,  whom  we 
taught,  wliom  we  baptized,  whom  we  led  in  life.  Behold 
liow  numerous  and  familiar  is  the  population  of  heaven, 


GOD  OFR  REFUGE — HEAVEN  KEAR.         225 

since  thou  art  taking  it  so  nmch  from  around  about  us  ! 
Thus  tliou  art  making  it  easy  to  die;  thus  thou  art  mak- 
ing it  sure  that  we  shall  live  again;  thus  thou  art 
changing  sight  to  faith,  which  is  far  better. 

O  Lord,  we  beseech  thee  that  we  may  not  be  as  brute 
beasts,  nor  insensitive  to  all  the  dealings  of  God  with  us. 
May  we  not  turn  away  with  a  cold  philosophy  from  those 
events  of  thy  providence ;  but  may  we  grow  riper  and 
richer  and  sweeter  in  affection,  more  heavenly  in  every 
inflection  of  our  life.  O  that  the  work  were  done  and 
that  grace  had  complete  victory  I  But  thou  knowest 
when,  and  we  do  not.  We  scarcely  understand  our 
own  life  nor  its  relations  at  all  to  the  other  world ;  the 
secret  is  with  thee.  But  what  time  thou  seest  we  are  so 
tempered,  so  cultured,  so  prepared  that  this  dawning  of 
the  life  of  the  soul  here  may  effulge  and  brighten  in 
heaven,  then  take  us  that  there  we  may  find  ourselves 
when  we  find  thee,  with  that  life  which  is  hid  with 
Christ  in  God,  then  may  we  appear  when  he  shall  appear 
in  glory. 

Bless  us  in  our  coming  together  again  to-night.  We 
thank  thee  for  this  Sabbath,  we  thank  thee  for  past 
experiences ;  we  would  not  let  die  the  summer  with  the 
going  out  thereof.  We  remember  how  thou  hast  com- 
forted us,  instructed  us,  given  us  growth.  We  remember 
all  the  wondrous  mercies  that  have  at  other  times  made 
our  hearts  soft  and  moistened  our  eyes  with  tears.  We 
thank  thee  for  the  past,  and  wilt  thank  thee  for  ever- 
more. We  take  courage ;  we  believe  that  thou  wilt  be 
as  thou  hast  been,  only  more  abundantly,  and  we  will 
trust  thee.  Yea,  though  thou  slay  us,  yet  will  we  trust 
thee,  for  thou  art  the  living  God,  and  all  our  life  proceeds 
from  thee.     Thou  wilt  quicken  us,  thou  wilt  uphold  us, 

10* 


£26  BEECHER  S   PULPIT   DEYOTIOXS. 

even  in  dying ;  and  out  of  death  we  shall  come  forth 
more  alive  than  ever  before. 

And  now,  we  beseech  thee,  O  Lord,  that  thou  wilt  bless 
not  us  alone.  Eemember  all  for  whom  we  should  pray. 
Kemember  the  friends  of  our  youth,  our  earthly  instruct- 
ors ;  remember  our  parents,  our  brothers,  our  sisters,  all 
the  dear  friends  that  we  have  on  earth ;  and  grant  that  they 
may  participate  in  the  exceeding  abundance  and  grace 
of  the  blessings  of  our  God.  We  thank  thee  that  thou 
hast  sanctified  our  hearts,  so  that  we  can  live  with  the 
thought  of  immortality  in  every  throb.  We  beseech 
thee,  bless  us  in  the  Sabbaths  that  yet  remain ;  may  every 
one  of  them  be  days  of  transfiguration,  unobscnred  days 
that  we  shall  behold  the  eternal  city,  until  at  last  the 
sabbath  of  rest  shall  dawn  that  knows  no  sun-rising  r.or 
Bun-setting,  the  light  of  which  shall  be  our  God  ;  and  we 
will  give  the  praise  of  our  salvation  in  that  eternal  rest 
to  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Spirit.     Amen. 


O00ASIO]^AL  PKATEES. 


NEW  YEAR'S  DAY. 


INVOCATION. 

Ouii  lieavenly  Father,  we  stand  in  this  place  consecrated  by  ten  thou- 
sand gifts  of  grace  from  thine  hand.  "We  cannot  look  back ;  our  way  is 
hedged  up  with  mercies,  and  we  stand  upon  the  beginning  of  another 
period  of  time,  desiring  to  take  encouragement  from  the  past  and  to  look 
down  into  the  future  with  full  assurance  of  faith.  Be  pleased  this  morn- 
ing, thou  that  art  the  head  of  the  church  and  the  Father  of  this  household ; 
be  pleased  to  grant  that  this  may  be  a  year  made  happy  indeed  to  every 
one  of  us;  may  ours,  we  beseech  thee,  be  all  that  wealth  and  benefaction 
of  mercy  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  ;  and  in  the  opening  services  of  the  day, 
may  we  feel  that  thou  art  with  us.  May  disturbing  thoughts  fly  away 
that  the  sweet  composure  of  faith  and  love  may  steal  upon  us.  May  we 
be  filled  with  holy  impulses  and  begin  to  spell  that  divinest  name  of 
Father.  May  we  know  that  thou  art  here  because  we  are  drawn  out  to 
thee  in  loving  aspiration  and  holy  desire,  and  may  thy  word  begin  to  shine. 
No  longer  art  thou  the  Infant  of  Days.  We  come  not  to  thee  as  a  babe, 
but  as  a  Prince  and  a  Saviour.  Thou  art  giving  gifts  from  heaven.  C4rant 
unto  us  gifts  of  grace  to-day.  Bless  all  the  exercises  of  the  sanctuary; 
help  us  every  one  to  receive  as  from  the  hand  of  God,  and  so  to  improve 
as  becomes  the  children  of  God.     We  ask  it  for  Christ's  sake.     Amen. 

BEFORE   SERMON. 

We  rejoice,  O  tliou  that  dwellest  in  heaven,  that  thoii 
art  not  confined  in  thy  wisdom,  in  thy  power,  in  thy 
goodness,  nor  in  thine  administration,  to  the  heavenly 


228  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

host.  Throughout  the  whole  domain,  thou  art  the  living 
God,  and  thy  v/isdom  and  thy  power  are  felt  wherever 
thou  hast  created,  l^or  art  thou  ever  weary  of  tliy 
work,  and  the  least  thing  that  had  the  sovereign  touch 
of  life  remains  forever  before  thee,  and  all  the  wants  of 
all  the  creatures  that  thou  hast  made  rise  up  before  tliee 
for  perpetual  supply.  Thou  givest  liberally ;  thou  art 
inexhaustible  in  tliy  nature  and  resources.  We  cannot 
by  searching,  find  out  the  nature  of  such  an  one,  that 
dwells  in  unslumbering  care,  that  knows  no  variableness, 
nor  shadow  of  change,  that  outlives  the  passing  genera- 
tions of  men,  himself  never  old,  forever  young  ;  full  of 
goodness.  And  yet  it  is  not  so  strange  that  thou 
shouldst  be  so,  though  we  cannot  understand  the  fullness 
thereof  as  that  thou  shouldst  be  a  Grod  of  such  tender 
mercy,  a  God  of  such  divine  love.  We  cannot  under- 
stand how  thon  couldst  bear  us  and  carry  us  with  such 
longing  aifections,  and  find  in  us  reason  for  thy  love ; 
how^  thou  canst  see  that  which  is  desirable  in  the  midst 
of  so  much  pride  and  selfishness,  so  many  passions,  and 
the  hurtful  ways  to  which  they  give  rise.  This  is  the 
wonder  and  the  love  of  Christ  to  sinful  men.  The 
mystery  hid  from  ages,  is  an  unsolved  and  unfathomable 
wonder  yet;  but  we  rejoice  in  believing tliat  it  is  so,  and 
that  the  divine  grace  of  love  that  fills  the  heavens  is  to  be 
the  salvation  of  the  earth.     This  is  our  hope. 

It  is  not  that  we  are  strong,  nor  wise,  but  that  thou  art  all 
this  for  us.  It  is  thy  righteousness  and  not  our  own  that 
surrounds  us ;  it  is  thy  love  to  us  rather  than  the  love 
which  we  have  to  thee  that  encourages  us;  it  is  thy 
faithfulness  and  not  our  own  perseverance  that  lays  the 
foundation  of  our  courage.  We  trust  in  God  who  is  all 
in  all,  for  thou  art,  O  Blessed  One,  first  and  last,  includ- 


XEW    year's    DAT.  229 

ing  all  between  ;  thou  art  Alpha  and  Omega,  and  the 
whole  alphabet.  All  grace  and  mercy  and  truth  is  in 
thee;  and  we  rejoice  in  thee,  not  in  ourselves,  not  in 
man,  not  in  institutions  of  religion,  not  in  any  thing  that 
is  upon  the  earth.  O,  we  rejoice  in  thee,  that  art  the 
fountain  of  all  excellence,  the  Father  of  mercies,  and  the 
God  of  all  grace  and  goodness.  We  have  had  abundant 
occasion  to  prove  thee,  and  have  put  thee  to  proof,  and 
we  bear  witness  that  thou  art  he  that  doeth  exceeding 
abundantly  more  than  we  ask  or  think.  Thy  promises 
are  never  so  large  as  thy  performances,  tliou  art  before- 
hand with  us ;  and  when  we  think  that  we  are  walking 
in  a  desolate  way,  behold  the  footstep  of  God  is  before 
us  ;  thou  hast  been  there  and  prepared  our  way. 

We  rejoice  to  find  thee  on  every  side  of  us,  and  to 
find  that  our  life  is  hid  in  thee ;  the  secrets  of  it,  the 
duties  of  it,  and  the  duration  of  it,  are  of  thee.  We 
rejoice  that  we  have  such  a  friend,  so  gentle,  so  patient, 
so  persevering.  And  this  is  the  wound  and  the  shame 
of  our  sin,  that  it  is  a  disobedience  and  an  unwilling  ser- 
vice of  one  so  gracious  and  so  full  of  all  noble  excellence. 
We  are  ashamed  when  we  reflect  how  little  we  have 
requited  thy  love  with  our  love;  thy  reasonable  com- 
mand with  our  filial  obedience;  we  have  sought  each 
one  his  own  way;  we  have  had  our  own  will  and  pur- 
pose aside  from  thine  and  contradicting  thine.  O  Lord, 
we  are  unworthy  of  thy  name  or  of  thy  favor ;  we  only 
plead  thy  grace,  saying,  "God  be  merciful  to  us  sin- 
ners." 

And  now  thou  hast  completed  the  mercies  and  the 
history  of  another  year;  thou  hast  advanced  us  to  the 
first  day  of  this  year  upon  which  we  are  entering.  We 
would  call  upon  our  souls  and  all  that  is  within  us  to 


230  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

bless  and  to  praise  thy  name  for  the  goodness  of  the  year 
that  has  gone.  Our  record  of  it  may  have  been  of  sin ; 
our  record  of  resolutions  broken  ;  our  record  of  time  mis- 
spent, of  powers  not  legitimately  used  but  turned  aside 
against  our  secret  convictions,  against  our  own  con- 
sciences, against  the  call  of  God's  voice  in  us — powers 
not  employed  to  their  vast  purposes  and  to  their  highest 
ends. 

Our  record  is  indeed  sadly  blotted ;  and  tears  and  sor- 
rows, hopes  not  fulfilled,  and  aspirations  not  met  by 
any  adequate  realization,  fill  our  remembrance ;  all  on 
our  side  is  human,  weak,  and  wicked.  If  we  look  only 
to  the  year  as  we  have  marked  it,  it  is  not  a  year  to  be 
remembered  nor  sighed  after  as  something  to  be  brought 
back  again ;  but  when  we  look  at  thy  way  with  us,  it  is 
a  year  robed  in  mercy,  grov\^ing  with  every  day,  and 
waning  not  one  single  hour.  Thou  hast  made  it  a  year 
of  divine  love,  of  pardoning  mercy,  of  gracious  guidance. 
Thou  hast  held  us  up  and  carried  us  in  thine  arms 
even  as  a  mother  carries  her  little  child.  Thou  hast 
counseled  us ;  thy  rod  and  thy  staif  they  have  com- 
forted us ;  thou  hast  whispered  to  us  in  the  hours  of 
dullness  and  discouragement ;  thou  hast  inspired  us  in 
our  wayward  moments,  and  brought  us  back  again  by 
ten  thousand  tokens  ;  thou  hast  showed  thyself  indeed 
a  guiding  God  and  a  Father. 

We  thank  thee  for  the  ministration  of  the  year.  It 
las  past  and  gone  to  the  judgment,  and  hangs  there 
.vaiting  our  coming — a  record  that  we  must  yet  again 
know  and  read,  xind  now  we  beseech  thee,  O  Lora 
God,  by  the  patience  which  thou  hast  manifested,  by  the 
gentleness  which  we  have  proved,  by  the  grace  which  is 
revealed  of  thee,  and  by  all  that  is  of  goodness  in  thyself, 


KEW  year's  day.  231 

we  beseech  of  thee,  take  charge  of  us  for  the  year  upon 
which  we  have  now  entered.  We  are  strangers  to  it ; 
we  do  not  know  one  single  path  ;  we  are  pilgrims  and 
wander  up  and  down  in  our  several  ways.  Thou  only 
seest  the  light  and  the  darkness  alike  ;  thou  only  seest 
the  end  from  the  beginning.  Thou  alone  art  perfectly 
wise,  and  all  things  are  in  thine  hands  for  merciful 
administration. 

We  commend  ourselves  and  families  to  thee  for  the 
year  upon  which  we  are  entering;  and  we  beseech  thee 
that  thou  wilt  be  gracious  to  us  in  our  ordinary  estate.  If 
it  be  thy  rich  pleasure  confirm  to  us  life,  a  life  of  labor  and 
usefulness.  Bless  us  in  our  households ;  bless  us  in  our 
social  relations,  and  all  our  affections,  and  to  one  another, 
and  sanctify  our  love ;  make  it  purer,  nobler,  and  moi-e 
heavenly.  Bless  us  in  our  several  secular  duties.  May 
we  go  abroad  into  all  the  relations  of  this  life,  carrying 
the  savor  of  the  Gospel  with  us,  sanctifying  whatever 
we  touch,  bearing  about  the  name  not  only,  but  also  the 
disposition  of  the  Lord  Jesus. 

We  beseech  thee  that  thou  wilt  bless  us  in  our  individ- 
ual experiences.  Some  thou  art  just  calling  out  of  dark- 
ness into  light,  and  they  are  this  year  being  bathed 
with  new  hopes.  Be  gracious  to  them,  and  sustain  them, 
that  no  trouble  may  overtake  them  mightier  than  their 
strength;  that  with  every  temptation  they  may  have 
rescue ;  and  that  they  may  know  that  they  have  entered 
this  year  with  God  the  Father  for  their  guide,  Christ  foi 
their  Saviour,  and  the  Holy  Spirit  for  their  enlightener 
and  sanctiner. 

Confirm  those  that  have  been  already  some  way  ad- 
vanced in  the  divine  life  and  have  had  occasion  to 
prove  thy  mercies.    We  beseech  of  thee  that  they  may 


232  beecher's  pulpit  deyotions. 

not  be  discouraged,  nor  turn  back,  nor  refuse  to  bear 
willingly  such  burdens  as  are  needful  for  tbeir  culture. 
May  those  that  have  been  for  a  long  time  in  thy  service 
and  are  ready  to  lay  down  their  burdens,  have  still  that 
same  nourishing  care  which  has  never  left  them  from 
their  cradle  until  this  day. 

We  beseech  thee  that  they  may  already  taste  that 
heavenly  joy  which  is  so  soon  to  be  theirs.  Thou  hast 
taken  from  us  not  a  few  during  the  past  year ;  they  rest 
from  their  labors ;  they  are  divided  by  the  sense  and  by 
the  flesh  from  us  that  we  cannot  see  them  nor  speak 
with  them  any  more ;  but  they  are  not  divided  from 
us  in  faith,  nor  in  love,  nor  in  joy.  We  tarry  yet  a  little 
longer;  thou  art  translating  this  church,  thou  art  aug- 
menting the  ranks  of  those  in  the  heavenly  state  that  are 
glorified.  O  we  thank  thee  that  so  many  departing 
leave  behind  the  savor  of  a  holy  life  and  the  testimony 
of  a  triumphant  death.  We  are  comforted  as  we  draw 
near,  believing  that  the  same  grace  that  gave  them 
victory,  will  give  final  release  and  victory  to  us.  We 
beseech  thee,  if  there  be  any  of  us  a]Dpointed  unto  death 
in  the  year  on  which  we  have  entered,  may  we  not  be 
afraid.  May  we  know  what  is  the  meaning  of  that  sound 
— death;  may  we  always  hear  the  word  Clirut  when  it 
is  pronounced  ;  may  we  know  that  it  is  but  that  divine 
presence  calling  us  home ;  and  may  we  feel  every  motion 
of  death  to  be  but  the  throbbing  of  the  heart  of  God. 
May  we  long  to  depart  to  be  in  his  bosom. 

If  any  are  sick,  wilt  thou  graciously  sustain  and  com- 
fort them ;  visit  them  with  thy  salvation,  and  make 
to-day  their  sick-chamber  to  be  as  light  as  the  temple  of 
God.  May  they  feel  that  thou  art  present,  and  may 
their  joys  be  as  choiring  angels  to  them ;  and  may  they 


NEW  tear's  day.  233 

have  occasion  for  thanksgiving  even  in  their  sick-chamber 
and  in  their  hours  of  seclusion. 

Be  with  those  that  belong  to  us  who  are  far  awaj. 
Wherever  they  may  be  to-day,  may  it  be  a  Sabbath — 
G-od's  rest  in  their  souls.  If  there  be  any  present  that 
are  strangers  among  strangers,  cause  all  heart-sickness 
and  home-sickness  to  fly  away  quickly  as  they  are  in  the 
presence  of  God,  of  Christ  Jesus,  and  their  brethren. 
May  the  joy  of  thy  liouse  banish  all  sad  thoughts,  and 
here  may  they  renew  their  strength ;  here  may  they 
taste  the  bread  of  life  ;  here  may  they  renew  their  cove- 
nant, and  here  may  they  see  that  this  is  a  gate  of  heaven. 
Be  with  us  in  the  things  we  ask  for,  and  wilt  thou  do 
for  us  all  that  we  need.  And  thine  shall  be  the  praise, 
Father,  Son,  and  Spirit.     Amen. 


CLOSING  PRAYER. 

"Who,  0  God,  is  sufBeient  for  these  things?  Why  hast  thou  sent  us  to 
preach,  and  withheld  the  power  ?  "Why  hast  thou  sent  us  to  the  human 
soul,  that  rolls  in  depth  and  majesty  as  the  ocean  rolls?  And  v.'hat  can 
we  do  but  stand  ui)on  the  shore  and  hear  its  waves  beat?  Thou  that  art 
the  pilot,  and  that  in  the  storm  canst  command  the  wind  and  the  waves — 
thou  must  quell  the  passions  of  the  human  heart.  Thou  must  change 
the  mind,  and  make  it  willing  in  the  day  of  thy  power. 

We  beseech  of  thee  that  thou  wilt  by  thy  Spirit  follow  the  word  of 
ezortation  that  has  been  given  to-night.  Thou  hast  solicited  and  called 
how  long,  and  how  many!  And  how  hast  thou  been  sent  away  from  the 
doors  of  hearts  that  needed  thee,  and  to  which  thou  hadst  brought 
treasures  more  than  man  can  imagine  1  We  pray  for  those  that  have 
ceased  to  pray.  We  pray  for  those  that  need  prayer  more  than  ever,  that 
have  fewer  and  fewer  seasons  even  of  thought,  that  grow  hard  with 
years,  that  are  less  and  less  troubled  by  sin,  and  that  are  more  and  more 
irreverent  of  religion.  We  pray  for  the  children  of  Christian  parents  who 
sometimes  weep  at  the  memory  of  father  and  mother,  but  who  never 
have  thought  of  God.  0  Lord,  are  there  not  those  here  who  have  looked 
at  themselves  as  castaways,  and  who  have  reckoned  themselves  given 
over,  but  who  are  not  given  over,  and  who  are  not  castaways,  though 
they  count  themselves  as  unworthy  of  eternal  life?  Hast  thou  not  pur- 
poses of  mercy  in  thy  sovereign  will?  Hast  thou  not  yet  reserved  arrows 
in  thy  quiver  with  which  to  smite  the  heart  that  has  been  long  dead  ? 
Wilt  thou  not  bring  forth  answers  of  prayer  in  a  strange  and  wonderful 
manner?  Are  there  not  those  present  that  have  hovered  upon  the  very 
verge  of  joys,  who  have  longed  and  delayed,  and  resolved  and  hesitated? 
Wilt  thou  not  put  thine  own  arm  around  them,  and  lift  them  over  their 
indecision,  and  bear  them  forward  to  unspeakable  happiness  ? 

Wilt  thou  not,  0  Lord  God,  revive  thy  work  in  the  hearts  of  thy 
people,  and  in  the  hearts  of  this  church  ?  Wilt  thou  not  gather  in  many 
of  such  as  shall  be  saved,  and  edify  them,  and  build  them  up  into  true 
and  holy  Christian  life,  for  the  honor  of  thy  name,  and  for  the  glory  of 
thy  cause  ?     And  to  tl:co  shall  bo  all  the  praise,  now  and  for  ever.    Amon. 


RETURNING  FROM  THE  SUMMER. 


Sabbath  Morning. 

INVOCATION. 

Thou  that  art  love,  thy  works  do  manifest  thee.  Every  hour  comes 
laden  with  thy  blessing.  We  are  ashamed  to  ask  thee  for  mercies  as  if 
thou  needest  to  be  entreated.  Thou  knowest,  before  we  ask,  what  things 
we  have  need  of;  and  therein  is  thy  condescension,  and  thy  great  mercy, 
that  thou  dost  make  it  so  pleasant  to  us  to  come,  and  so  needful  to  our 
connection  with  thee  and  our  joy  through  thee,  that  even  the  things  that 
are  inevitable  come  better  when  we  have  asked  them  at  thine  hand ;  and 
thou  makest  those  things  special  gifts  to  tliem  that  ask,  that  otherwise 
would  come  as  diffusive  bounties.  Be  pleased  then  this  morning  to  accept 
us,  as  we  come  to  recognize  thee  as  the  source  of  all  our  good,  our  life  and 
all  the  springs  of  our  daily  joy,  our  hope  in  the  future.  0  Lord,  what  is 
there  in  us;  what  hope  we  for  in  time  or  in  duration  that  is  not  quickened 
by  thee  ?  And  now,  this  morning,  grant  unto  us  this  chiefest  of  blessings, 
such  a  disclosure  of  thyself  that  we  may  see  that  thou  art  the  great  all  in 
all ;  and  that  we  may  recognize  our  relations  to  thee,  and  love  thee  and 
adore  thee  and  praise  thee.  Bless  the.reading  and  the  interpretation  of  thy 
word,  bless  us  in  the  songs  we  shall  offer ;  bless  us  in  our  communion 
of  prayer  and  fellowship  therein;  bless  us  in  every  exercise  of  the  day  at 
home.  May  our  houses  be  as  sanctuaries  of  God;  and  may  it  be  a 
heavenly  day  in  all  its  parts  and  experiences  to  us.  We  ask  it  for 
Christ's  sake.     Amen. 

BEFORE   SERMON. 

We  draw  near  to  thee,  thou  that  art  the  fountain  of  all 
good,  the  source  of  all  blessing :  not  because  we  feel  the 
pressure  of  want  so  much,  for  the  abundant  mercies  of 
thy  providence  have  made  us  almost  unconscious  of  out- 
ward want.     It  is  not  for  us  to  say,  "  Give  us  this  day 


236  beeciier's  pulpit  devotions. 

our  daily  bread,"  for  our  loaf  fails  not.  Tliou  art  so 
surrounding  us,  thou  art  so  enriching  us,  thou  art  so 
making  thy  mercies  intrusive,  that  we  continually  have 
more  than  heart  could  wish.  And  yet,  the  best  gifts  are 
unsanctified,  and  have  lost  their  best  flavor  and  pleasure, 
if  they  do  not  bring  thee  to  us.  It  is  not  so  much  the 
things  which  we  have,  and  those  we  love,  as  the  love 
which  they  mean  that  gives  us  joy ;  and  it  is  thy  bless- 
ing upon  blessings ;  it  is  thy  thought  upon  the  things 
we  daily  need  and  have,  that  makes  them  seem  to  us 
inexpressibly  dear.  We  rejoice  in  the  very  earth  itself 
because  it  is  thine.  We  rejoice  in  all  the  things  that 
live  and  grow;  because  they  were  thy  thoughts,  and 
because  they  are  the  objects  of  thy  care.  What  is  dear 
to  thee  becomes  dear  to  us ;  and  what  concerns  thy 
thought  and  thine  honor  and  thy  glory,  concerns  us  most 
intimately.  And  we  draw  near  to  thee  this  morning, 
more  expressly  to  thank  thee  for  our  immortality ;  that 
we  have  a  heritage  which  is  worthy  of  our  paternity, 
knowing  that  we  bear'within  immortal  spirits.  May  we  be 
satisfied  with  nothino;  that  shall  not  have  in  it  somethino; 
of  immortality.  While  we  partake  of  the  pleasures  of 
life  and  the  duties  of  to-day,  may  we  stretch  infinitely  be- 
yond all  these  things,  and  hold  in  full  survey  the  grandeur 
and  the  glory  of  that  estate  which  is  reserved  for  thy 
people  in  heaven.  O  grant  that  we  may  not  sell  our 
birthright  for  a  mess  of  pottage ;  grant  that  we  may  not 
be  bribed  of  our  heavenly  estates  by  the  pitiful  bribes  of 
wealth,  or  be  bewildered  by  the  fantasies  of  honor,  or 
any  of  the  sources  of  pleasure;  but  grant,  we  beseech  thee, 
that  we  may  live  in  this  life  with  a  constant  sense  of  sym- 
pathy with  the  life  that  is  to  come  ;  and  that  it  may  be 
more  and  more  real  to  us,  that  it  may  be  brought  nearer 


EETUENIXG  FEOM  THE  SUMMER.  237 

and  nearer,  that  out  of  it  may  be  ministered  food  for  tlie 
soul,  bread  for  the  hungry,  and  the  water  of  life  for  the 
thirsty. 

We  beseech  thee  to  bless  us  this  day,  gathered  to- 
gether after  the  separation  of  the  summer ;  thou  hast 
permitted  us  a  church,  a  pastor,  and  a  people,  again  to  be 
united  in  exercises  of  devout  worship  before  thee.  We 
thank  thee  for  all  the  mercies  that  have  befallen  us ;  we 
thank  thee  that  we  come  again  in  common  faith  of 
Christ  Jesus,  that  we  have  fellowship  of  joy,  of  faith,  and 
aspiration — that  we  travel  the  same  path  for  the  same 
blessed  heaven.  May  this  common  relation  wliich  we 
bear  thee  sanctify  our  affections ;  may  we  feel  our  oneness 
in  Christ  Jesus. 

Wilt  thou  bless  the  experience  which  each  of  us  has 
had,  the  individual  history  and  experience,  and  all  the 
collective  experiences  of  this  congregation.  Where  thoii 
hast  brought  sorrow,  be  pleased  also  to  bring  consolation. 
Where  thou  hast  set  up  before  any  visibly  the  power  of 
mortality,  there  reveal  the  glorious  truths  of  immortality. 
Where  thou  hast  given  joy  and  gladness,  sanctify  it ; 
where  thou  hast  brought  disappointment  and  losses, 
sanctify  them.  Grant,  we  beseech  thee,  that  every  thing 
of  everj  kind  may  be  held  consciously  as  from  the  hand 
of  God,  and  may  it  bring  with  it  a  blessing.  Whether 
thy  mercies  come  in  light  or  in  shadow,  whether  they 
are  of  the  day  or  of  the  night,  may  we  accept  them  as 
from  God,  and  so  inevitable  blessings. 

Unite  us  together  more  and  more  in  the  work  of 
the  Gospel.  We  feel  that  our  sun  is  setting,  our  day 
is  shortening ;  that  which  we  do,  we  must  do  quickly ; 
the  night  cometh  when  no  man  can  work.  Grant,  then, 
that  we  make  haste,  that  we  may  chide  every  idle  way  ; 


238  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

that  we  may  unite  with  more  fervent  purposes,  more 
earnest  zeal,  purer  love,  and  devouter  faith  in  God,  to 
establish  in  our  day  that  part  of  thy  work  on  earth  which 
may  here  fall  to  us.  May  thy  Gospel  be  preached  with 
more  simplicity,  with  more  direct  earnestness,  and  may 
it  bring  forth  more  abundantly  than  it  has  formerly,  the 
fruit  of  the  Gospel.  Grant  that  this  church  may  be 
reared  up  more  and  more  to  be  a  praying  church,  a 
laboring  church ;  may  it  be  sanctified,  and  weaned  from 
pride  and  worldly  ambition.  May  it  be  established  in 
the  faith  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ ;  and  grant  that  to  the 
end  of  our  lives  we  may  thus  serve  thee  ;  and  when  at  last 
the  summons  shall  come  to  us,  may  it  not  be  the  surprise 
of  sorrow,  but  rather  of  joy,  and  may  we  hear  in  the  voice 
of  death  the  call  of  God,  "  Come  up  hither."  May  we 
find  at  last  our  home  ;  and  find  there,  safe  and  glorified, 
awaiting  us,  all  that  have  been  called  from  our  side,  all 
whom  we  have  loved  and  lost.  And  may  we  find  them 
again  with  eternal  salvation,  and  there,  ourselves  safe, 
we  will  cast  our  crowns  before  thee,  and  give  all  the 
praise  our  salvation  to  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy 
Spirit.     Amen. 


THANKSGIVING  DAY. 


IXyOCATION. 


Our  Father,  we  ask  that  thou  will  make  this  to  be  a  day  of  gladness 
and  joy  to  us.  "We  have  turned  aside  as  for  some  new-found  Sabbath,  to 
give  thanks  to  thee,  not  as  those  that  only  thank  thee  in  the  sanctuary, 
but  because  it  is  sweet  to  hear  each  other's  voice,  and  in  fellowship  of 
love  to  lift  up  our  obligations  and  expressions  of  gladness ;  and  now 
help  us,  for  thou  shinest,  and  light  is  from  thee.  Grant,  then,  that  we 
may  be  illumined  to  discern  from  thy  word — that  we  may  discern  in  all 
things  the  presence  of  G-od ;  and  may  we  be  helped  to  speak,  to  pray,  and 
to  praise.  And  may  this  whole  day  be  an  offering  of  gladness,  joyful 
indeed  to  us  and  acceptable  to  thee,  which  we  ask  for  Christ's  sake. 
Amen. 

BEFORE  SERMON. 

Our  heavenly  Father,  we  thank  thee  that  thou  hast 
made  thyself  known  to  ns  that  we  may  perceive  thee. 
We  are  glad  toward  each  other  and  thankful ;  and  yet 
such  is  the  multitude  of  mercies  and  such  at  times  our 
gladness,  that  when  we  have  thanked  those  around  about 
us,  the  argument  is  but  begun,  and  there  is  nowhere 
that  our  souls  can  turn  themselves  and  be  satisfied  with 
thanksgiving  but  toward  thee ;  and  then  thou  art  no 
longer  a  God  afar  off,  to  be  evoked  with  tears  and  strong- 
crying.  Thou  seemest  very  near  to  us,  and  what  time 
we  find  our  words  exhaled  in  gratitude  and  in  love,  we 
know  that  thou  art  drawing  us  as  the  sun  draws  the 
flowers.  We  speak  thus  silently  to  thee  and  rejoice  in 
thee  with  ineffable  joy.     We  are  glad  to  believe  that  we 


240  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

make  tliee  liappy,  thou  that  dwellest  in  an  unclisturbed 
security,  and  canst  sweep  by  thy  power  around  about 
this  line,  so  that  no  man,  if  thou  choosest,  can  rise  up 
and  disturb  the  harmony  of  thine  own  thought;  yet 
thou  art  one  that  bendest  from  thine  own  height — thou 
dost  come  down  by  all  the  yearnings  of  thy  nature  ;  thou 
dost  both  stir  us  up  and  teach  us  also  to  stir  thee  up. 
Giving  and  taking  thou  hast  made  to  be  the  law  of  life, 
and  art  thyself  chief  participant  in  it.  It  is  more  blessed 
for  thee  to  give  than  to  receive,  and  yet  it  is  blessed  even 
for  thee  to  receive.  And  thou  rejoicest  over  us  and  thou 
art  glad  for  us,  and  thou  dost  make  thyself  glad  in  the 
contributions  of  thy  people  in  praise ;  in  those  things  that 
make  them  like  thee,  they  bring  to  thee  again. 

And  we  desire  this  morning  to  thank  thee  for  our 
being,  for  all  the  hope  that  is  in  it,  any  dawn  ungrown 
and  scarcely  showing  by  its  life  yet  to  what  we  belong; 
yet  we  believe  that  thou  hast  destined  us  to  an  immor- 
tality of  which  on  earth  there  are  no  sufficient  significant 
interpretations.  It  doth  not  yet  appear  what  we  shall 
be,  but  we  hail  that  great  and  glorious,  though  undis- 
tinguished future.  There  is  laid  up  in  it  enough,  and 
our  whole  souls  reach  out  after  it ;  when  we  are  weary 
and  discouraged  seeking  earthly  things,  we  reach  out  and 
feed  upon  that  future.  Thou  givest  us  as  by  an  out- 
stretched hand  something  of  the  bread  of  heaven,  that 
w^e  may  have  strength  to  reach  the  journey's  end  and 
rest  there.  O,  we  thank  thee  that  our  journey  is  not  a 
wilderness,  though  sometimes  our  feet  are  in  a  rocky  and 
precipitous  way ;  but  in  the  main  thou  hast  caused  our 
lines  to  fall  to  us  in  pleasant  places.  We  have  been 
sheltered  by  the  sacredness  of  home ;  we  have  known 
what  were  all  the  sacred  teachings  of  love ;  thou  hast 


THANKSGIVING    DAT.  241 

sliined  upon  us  even  as  our  father  and  mother ;  thou 
hast  sent  thine  angels  to  teach  us  through  brother  and 
sister ;  thou  hast  revealed  thy  most  inward  nature  to  us 
through  our  own  children  and  our  experiences  toward 
them.  Our  house  has  been  our  sanctuary,  and  Gfod  has 
been  our  teacher  there. 

We  thank  thee  for  the  mercies  of  the  family ;  for  the 
discipline,  for  the  things  which  we  have  had  to  suffer, 
for  the  things  which  we  have  had  to  enjoy.  What  are 
we  that  we  sliould  not  suifer  ?  What  are  we,  O  blessed 
Jesus,  that  we  should  not  take  the  baptism  that  thou  dost 
take,  and  be  crowned,  as  thou  wert  crowned,  with  thorns, 
yet  hoping  to  be  crowned,  as  thou  art,  with  glory.  We 
thank  thee  for  trials,  for  care,  for  trouble,  for  the  yoke, 
for  the  burden,  and  for  the  fiiltillment  of  thy  word,  that 
thy  yoke  is  easy  and  thy  burden  light.  We  thank  tliee 
for  all  our  relationships  togetlier  iu  society,  especially  as 
a  church  and  corioTeo;ation.  We  thank  thee  for  our 
fellowship  here,  for  tlie  days  of  peace,  for  tlie  Sabbaths 
that  came  to  us  evidently  as  doves  flying  from  the  very 
heavens,  bringing  peace  and  purity  to  us. 

We  thank  thee  for  all  our  joys,  which  we  pray  and 
yearn  for  again  ;  and  especialiy,  O  Lord,  we  thank  thee 
that  thou  hast  p>ermitted  so  many  to  taste  and  see  that 
the  Lord  is  gracious ;  for  our  own  and  for  their  expe- 
riences of  thine  immediate  presence  and  the  outreaching, 
teaching,  and  power  of  thy  Holy  Spirit  upon  the  word ; 
w^e  render  thee  thankso:ivino^. 

How  many  have  found  each  other  in  Christ  Jesus  that 
were  unknown  before,  though  always  living  together!* 
How  many  now  stand  on  a  foundation  that  neither  time 

*  After  a  revivaL 
IT 


242  BEECIIER  S    PITLPIT   DEYOTIOXS. 

nor  death  can  shake  !  how  many  have  defied  death  and 
fear  it  no  more !  O,  we  thank  thee  that  thou  hast  sur- 
rounded the  thino^s  that  make  other  men  tremble  of  such 
sweet  joy  and  such  sacred  understanding  now  in  the 
light  of  the  sanctuary,  that  we  are  lifted  up  by  the 
things  that  cast  down  other  men,  that  we  come  some- 
what near  that  divine  and  sacred  experience  of  the 
Apostle  and  are  able,  if  not  to  rejoice  in  our  infirmities, 
yet  to  see  how  Vv-e  may  rejoice  in  thee. 

We  thanlc  thee  for  all  those  things  which  we  can  so 
far  utter,  and  for  those  glances;  for  those  experiences  in 
the  communion  of  God  in  secret,  for  all  those  sudden 
and  short  and  blessed  wide-reaching  visions  that  we  have 
had,  for  all  the  revelation  and  hope.  We  thank  thee  for 
those  things  that  are  forgotten  by  us  and  must  be  name- 
less before  thee,  because  thou  readest  the  intent  and  not 
alone  the  words  that  we  speak. 

We  thank  thee,  O  Lord,  that  thou  hast  knit  so  many  of 
us  togetlier  in  the  bands  of  a  holy  and  nourisliing  friend- 
ship, and  that  thou  art  causing  the  tree  of  life  to  have 
roots  in  our  heart,  and  w^e  are  finding  that  in  love  the 
fruits  are  enough,  the  bread  of  heaven — the  very  leaves 
feel  disease  and  are  for  the  healing  of  the  nations. 

JS^ow  we  beseech  thee  that  thou  wilt  accept  our  thanks- 
givings as  citizens  of  this  place,  because  thou  hast  shielded 
us  in  so  great  a  measure,  because  thou  hast  given  us  such 
prosperity.  Thou  hast  caused  tlie  doors  of  the  sanctuary 
to  swing  wide  open  from  Sabbath  to  Sabbath  ;  thou  hast 
blessed  us  in  our  schools,  and  in  all  the  various  institu- 
tions of  beneficence.  We  thank  thee  that  there  has  been 
to  so  great  an  extent  a  year  of  abundance,  that  tlie  poor 
have  not  cried.  We  thank  thee  that  thou  hast  not 
ravished  our  borders  with  the  angel  of  death  sent  forth 


THANKSGn^ING   DAY.  243 

in  judgment,  or  by  mercy  veiled  in  darkness  and  judg- 
ment. We  tliank  tliee  for  all  the  commercial  prosperity, 
for  the  abundance  of  the  field,  and  for  the  abundance  of 
the  sea.  We  thank  thee  that  thou  hast  caused  laws  to 
be  so  wisely  observed,  that  thou  art  purifying  the  spirit 
of  law  and  the  administration  of  institutions.  We 
thank  thee  that  in  all  these  conflicts  victory  must  come 
to  the  truth  in  so  great  measure,  and  that  freed  from 
bitter  contention,  thou  art  causing  us  more  and  more  to 
know  how  to  bear  witness  for  the  truth  in  the  spirit  of 
love. 

We  thank  thee,  O  God,  that  thou  art  causing  the  way 
to  appear  by  which  we  are  to  be  led  out  of  bondage. 
Teach  this  great  nation  how  to  discharge  the  duty  of  the 
day  in  which  we  live — ^how,  everywhere  clotlied  in  the 
spirit  of  divine  justice,  in  the  spirit  of  meekness  and  of 
love  to  go  forth  and  purif)?-  the  things  most  diflficult  in 
the  name  and  by  the  authority  and  with  the  spirit  of 
the  Divine  Master.  Remember,  we  beseech  thee,  in  the 
hour  of  our  gladness  those  who  this  day  are  in  prisons. 
In  their  prison  may  they  feel  that  they  have  abundant 
occasion  of  thanksgiving ;  may  they  see  through  their 
walls  as  through  a  lens  the  very  city  of  God ;  may  time 
not  hang  upon  their  heels  as  shackles ;  may  they  feel  that 
days  are  God's  steeds,  and  that  they  are  being  borne  as 
in  a  chariot  homeward.  We  thank  thee  that  disturb- 
ances are  signifying  that  the  lieart  of  the  world  is  more 
and  more  manifestly  toward  the  millenium.  We  tliank 
thee  for  ail  signals  and  portents,  and  we  believe  that  thou 
art  causing  time  more  and  more  to  represent  the  eternal 
purity  of  heaven.  O  Lord  God,  make  haste.  Emj)loy 
such  as  thou  wilt ;  work  as  thou  wilt ;  lift  up,  cast 
down  thunder.     O  speak  in  those  whispers  that  thou  hast, 


244  BEECHEIi's   PULPIT   DETOTIOXS. 

by  silence  or  by  sound,  by  invisible  things  or  by  the 
powers  that  appear,  in  all  ways  at  home  and  abroad,  and 
round  and  round  the  world.  O  God,  advance  thy  cause  ; 
remember  thy  family,  the  family  of  mankind,  bring  us  all 
into  one  blood-beat  again ;  may  we  feel  heart  to  heart 
the  world  around,  and  in  the  same  electric  connection  of 
love  may  the  whole  world  experience  at  last  the  consola- 
tion of  thy  redemptive  power,  and  stand  disenthralled 
and  united  before  God,  a  blessed  brotherhood,  baptized 
into  purity,  and  then  at  last  make  those  break  forth 
accordant  with  heaven  and  responsive  to  its  choral  utter- 
ances, a  voice  of  joy  the  world  around,  giving  the  praise 
for  its  salvation  to  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Spirit. 
Amen. 


NATIONAL    RESPONSIBILITY. 

Sabbath  Evening. 


BEFORE  SERMON. 

Thou  art  for  evermore  God  infinite  and  God  over  all 
the  earth.  Thou  hast  created  all  things,  and  thou  gov- 
ernest  what  thou  hast  created ;  and  though  thou  dost  in 
counsels  of  infinite  wisdom  permit  in  the  realm  of  men 
things  which  we  cannot  understand,  thou  hast  taught  us 
by  the  mouth  of  thy  servants,  that  clouds  and  darkness 
are  around  about  thee,  even  when  justice  and  judgment 
are  the  habitations  of  thy  throne. 

We  are  not  in  haste  to  learn  thy  counsels,  but  desire 
rather  to  know  our  duty.  Breathe  upon  us  that  spirit 
of  sympathy  with  thee,  that  true  and  earnest  desire  to  do 
that  which  is  right,  which  shall  itself  interpret  our  duties 
to  us.  Grant,  we  beseech  thee,  that  we  may  have  a 
reverent  fear  of  thee ;  thou  art  greater  than  we ;  thou 
art  immaculate,  of  purer  eyes  than  to  behold  evil  with 
permission  or  with  indifference  ;  thou  art  the  Judge, 
knowing  all  and  judging  all.  And  we  beseech  thee 
that  we  may  never  forget  that  thine  eye  is  upon  us; 
thou  knowest  our  thoughts  and  our  feelings,  and  thou 
art  searching  the  ways  of  our  life.  We  rejoice  that  it 
is  so ;  we  would  not  fl.ee  from  thy  presence,  but  whither 
could  we  flee  if  we  would  ?      Neither  heaven   above, 


240  r.EECIIER's    PULriT    DEVOTIONS. 

nor  tlie  earth  beneath,  nor  the  waters,  nor  the  space 
beneath  the  earth,  nor  hell  itself,  could  hide  us  from 
thj  presence ;  thou  art  everywhere  the  All-beholding 
and  the  All-judging.  Grant  that  we  may  not  have 
that  fear  which  is  despotic ;  may  we  have  fear  that  works 
together  with  love,  that  we  may  trust  thee  while  we 
revere  thee.  Grant,  we  beseech  thee,  that  we  may  be 
quickened  in  the  performance  of  every  duty  by  the  love 
which  we  bear  to  thee :  mav  we  be  willing;  children, 
grateful  for  thy  kindness,  full  of  fidelity,  and  desirous 
above  all  things  to  please  thee. 

We  thank  thee,  our  heavenly  Father,  that  the  lines 
have  been  cast  to  us  in  pleasant  places;  we  have  indeed 
a  goodly  heritage ;  we  stand  upon  a  sliore  unshaken,  to 
look  out  upon  the  nations  of  the  earth  that  are  rocked 
and  tossed  as  a  ship  upon  the  sea  bestormed ;  we  are 
in  peace,  while  they  are  in  tumult ;  we  are  without  blood 
or  revolution,  while  they  are  in  revolutions,  walking  in 
garments  rolled  in  blood. ''^  We  rejoice  in  believing  that 
their  trials  tend  toward  emancipation  and  glorious  vic- 
tory. We  believe  that  the  footsteps  of  God  are  in  tlie 
earth,  tliat  the  shakings  of  the  people  are  the  signs  of 
his  coming  for  justice,  for  the  deliverance  of  the  poor 
and  the  needy.  How  long  are  the  hoary  prophecies 
waiting  for  a  fulfillment ;  thou  art  arousing  them  from 
the  slumber  of  ages,  and  that  which  seers  desired,  that 
which  by  their  mouth  was  put  upon  record,  now  thou 
art  bringing  it  forth  into  glorious  truth.  We  rejoice  in 
thee,  and  when  we  compare  our  privileges  with  those  of 
nations  abroad,  we  have  occasion  to  humble  ourselves ; 
we  have  not  deserved  an  estate  so  much  better  than  they ; 
thou  hast  doubtless  for  our  fathers'  sake  blessed  us ;  we 

*  Commotions  in  Europe,  Battle  of  Solftirino,  1S59. 


NATIONAL    RESPONSIBILITY.  247 

are  the  inheritors  of  prayers,  of  tears,  of  struggles,  of  self- 
denials,  that  in  ages  past  thou  didst  inspire  in  our  heroic 
fathers ;  grant  that  we  may  be  worthy  at  last  of  the 
heritage  of  their  faith.  Let  us  not  cast  our  birthright 
vilely  away  ;  may  we  stand  in  our  places  not  simply  to 
luxuriate  and  gratify  ourselves  in  the  riches  of  our  inherit- 
ance, but  to  understand  them,  to  rejoice  before  God  in 
them,  to  consecrate  them,  to  perpetuate  them,  to  trans- 
mit them  to  our  children,  and  our  children's  children, 
through  many  generations.  Be  pleased,  thou  God  of 
nations,  to  speak  unto  this  people.  Command  justice 
and  righteousness ;  lay  thine  hand  upon  this  people  to 
restrain  the  wrath  of  man,  and  to  cause  the  remainder 
thereof  to  praise  thee.  Establish  churches  throughout 
all  our  bounds,  and  put  therein  a  true  and  testifying 
Christianity,  establishing,  ordaining,  and  multiplying  tlie 
number  of  thy  ministers  after  thine  own  heart,  who  shall 
not  fear  man,  and  who  shall  fear  God ;  and  may  they 
speak  not  the  things  that  shall  win  favor,  but  the  things 
that  shall  make  purity. 

We  beseech  of  thee  that  thou  wilt  unite  the  hearts  of 
men  together  in  common  citizenship;  may  they  be 
inspired  wdth  a  common  desire  for  purity,  for  upright- 
ness, for  integrity  in  civil  things.  As  thou  wilt  not  per- 
mit us  to  stand  drooping  and  dwarfed,  grant  that  the 
rains  of  righteousness  falling  upon  this  great  land, 
watering  it  upon  the  top  and  at  the  root,  may  cause  it  to 
come  forward  in  blessed  growth. 

May  there  be  progress  in  civilization ;  may  there  be 
progress  in  all  religious  things ;  may  this  nation  spring 
forward  and  develop  a  nobler  justice,  a  truer  humanity, 
a  better  wisdom  of  Christianity,  than  has  ever  yet  been 
seen  in  our  midst ;  and  if  there  are  throes  and  struggles 


248  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

of  birth  yet,  grant  that  we  may  be  willing  to  take  the 
Son  of  God,  born  more  illustriously  into  the  world,  though 
it  costs  sighs  and  groans.  By  the  laying  down  of  thy 
life,  O  Christ,  thou  didst  lift  eternal  life  upon  the  world. 
Grant  that  we  may  not  shrink  at  sacrifice  and  suffering, 
which  are  to  bring  forth  yet  a  part  of  the  glory  of  the 
time  to  come.  And  we  beseech  thee  that  thou  wilt  fill 
us  all  with  a  sense  of  our  responsibility  to  God ;  may  we 
not  feel  that  we  are  called  in  trivial  things,  but  may  we 
feel  that  thou  art  putting  upon  us  the  weiglit  of  ages ; 
may  we  confront  the  face  of  God ;  may  we  stand  as  men 
that  know  they  must  ere  long  give  an  account  of  their 
deeds  before  the  judgment-seat  of  Christ;  may  we  live 
and  perform  our  whole  duty  as  seeing  him  who  is  in- 
visible. 

Grant,  we  beseech  thee,  that  the  word  of  instruction 
which  we  shall  speak  this  night  may  be  inspired  of  God's 
spirit ;  may  it  come  to  the  understanding,  and  approve 
itself  before  the  conscience  of  every  one  that  shall  hear 
it.  Prepare  ns  for  all  the  further  duties  of  this  day,  and 
for  the  week  upon  which  we  have  entered.  Grant,  we 
beseech  thee,  that  nations  beholding  the  spectacle  sublime 
indeed  that  shall  transpire,  may  have  occasion  to  marvel 
and  wonder,  and  to  bless  God  for  the  integrity  of  those 
institutions  that  stand  in  peril,  that  stand  in  battle,  and 
that  stand  after  battle,  inexpugnable  and  eternal. 

Grant  that  in  this  great  nation  there  may  be  none  that 
shall  shrink  from  duty,  none  that  shall  fear  to  speak  and 
act  for  truth  and  for  liberty,  none  that  shall  retreat  in 
the  day  of  conflict,  or  stand  indifferent,  while  heaven 
and  earth  are  commingled.  Grant  that  at  last  the  issue 
may  come  which  thou  hast,  as  with  a  rising  tide,  urged 
steadily  from  year  to  year  upon  ns,  and  from  which  we 


NATIONAL   EESPONSIBILITY.  249 

may  not  shrink  any  longer ;  grant,  we  beseech  thee,  that 
in  this  great  day  of  conflict,  when  thou  thyself  hast 
swept  the  circuit,  and  commanded  thy  servants  to  do 
battle  before  heaven  and  earth,  grant  that  the  cause  of 
righteousness  may  be  lifted  up,  and  inspired  with  all  the 
heroism  of  God,  and  may  evil  be  smitten  down  and 
pierced  through  and  destroyed,  and  God  be  honored, 
and  justice  re-established,  and  purity  in  the  place  of 
corruption  stand  forth,  and  all  nations  see  the  1)eginning 
of  the  salvation  of  God  in  the  midst  of  this  people.  We 
ask  these  things,  not  because  we  are  worthy,  but  we 
know  thee,  thy  greatness,  thy  magnanimity,  and  we  ask 
them  for  thine  own  name's  sake  ;  and  to  the  Father,  the 
Son,  and  the  Spirit,  shall  be  praise  evermore.  Amen. 
11* 


CLOSING  PRATER. 

Our  Father,  we  beseech  of  thee  that  thou  wilt  follow  with  thy  blessing 
the  truth  spoken.  We  thank  thee  that  thy  word  burns  as  an  unquench- 
able fire ;  and  that  when  all  the  stars  are  hidden  from  our  sight,  tiiere 
shines  the  liglit  of  thy  teaching,  which  no  storm  can  blow  out  and  no 
cloud  can  obscure.  We  thank  thee  that  when  there  is  rude  winter  with- 
out, we  may  enter  into  the  sweet  tropics  of  thy  revelation,  and  find 
blessings  innumerable  therein.  Nothing  can  pluck  away  from  us  the 
sweet  fruit  of  the  tree  of  life  in  the  garden  of  the  Lord.  We  cling  to 
thy  precious  Eible,  which  hath  in  it  the  liberties  of  the  people. 

0  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  teach  us  more  and  more  to  sympathize  with 
thine  own  poor,  and  to  take  sides,  for  thy  sake,  and  for  the  sake  of  love 
and  justice,  with  all  those  whom  men  would  use,  and  abuse,  and  spoil, 
and  destroy. 

Be  pleased,  almighty  God,  to  appear  for  the  nations  of  the  earth. 
Have  they  not  waited  long  enough  ?  How  long  must  that  choral  misery 
continue,  that  has  chanted  sadly  and  sorrowfully  through  ages  ?  Asa 
dreary  sound  of  storms  that  disturb  the  sea,  and  rock  the  forests,  has  been 
the  cry  of  nations  despoiled  by  war  and  oppression ;  and  how  long  wilt  thou 
listen  to  this  sad  melody?  When,  0  crowned  Jesus;  when,  0  loving 
Saviour ;  when,  0  patient  and  just  Judge — when  wilt  thou  come  forth 
from  thy  hiding,  and  change  tears  to  smiles,  and  groans  to  joys  ?  When 
shall  that  choral  song  burst  forth,  sweeping  through  tlie  air  and  circling 
about  thy  throne,  which  shall  proclaim  tlie  redemption  of  the  world  to 
the  Lord  God?  Awake,  we  beseech  of  thee,  from  thy  sleep.  But  tliou  art 
not  asleep.  What  time  thou  risest  the  storm  shall  flee  to  the  heavens, 
and  there  shall  be  a  calm.  Be  pleased,  then,  to  keep  us  from  fear,  and 
from  the  disaster  of  unfaith.  May  we,  so  long  as  thou  art  in  the  ship, 
leave  thee,  sleeping  or  waking,  to  control  as  thou  wilt  the  storm,  and  not 
give  way  to  impatience  or  terror.  And  when  we  have,  with  confidence, 
waited  on  thee,  give  us  the  unreserved  reward  of  a  blessed  translation 
into  the  Heavenly  presence.  And  wc  will  give  the  praise  to  the  Father, 
the  Son,  and  the  Spirit.     Amen. 


FILIAL    MEMORIAL. 

Sunday  Morning,  January  11,  1863. 


INVOCATION. 

Thou  eternal  God,  we  rejoice  in  thy  infinite  power,  and  strength,  and 
goodness.  Thy  wisdom  is  over  aU  the  works  of  thine  hand,  and  thy  love 
is  infinite  as  thy  wisdom.  This  morning  grant  the  rising  of  that  sun  that 
shall  cast  light  inwardly  in  the  soul.  May  we  draw  near  to  thee  in  faith 
and  in  supplication.  May  we  also  be  able  to  draw  near  to  thee  by  thanks- 
giving and  praise  and  sacred  song.  May  we  draw  from  thy  "Word  lessons 
of  instruction  indeed,  day  by  day.  May  we,  in  all  the  services  of  instruc- 
tion or  worship,  be  divinely  inspired  and  guided,  that  thy  name  may  bo 
honored,  and  our  souls  profited.     We  ask  it  for  Christ's  sake.     Amen. 

BEFORE    SERMON. 

We  rejoice,  our  Father,  that  thou  art  more  to  lis,  and 
nearer  and  dearer  than  any  earthly  parent  can  be.  Thou 
hast  taught  us  to  love ;  but  we  have  been  poor  scholars. 
We  know  not  how  to  love  wisely.  Our  life  is  an  experi- 
ment in  its  best  parts,  and  it  is  altogether  a  failure  in 
much  that  belongs  to  it  in  its  human  relations.  But 
thou  art  perfect  in  loving,  and  thou  dost  descend  witli 
the  glory  of  thy  nature  around  about  us,  and  art  our 
Father  more  fully  and  more  gloriously  than  it  hath  e^i- 
tered  into  the  heart  of  man  to  conceive.  And  althougli 
tliou  hidest  thyself,  and  we  marvel ;  and  art  silent  to  our 
cry,  and  we  wonder  and  despond,  yet  we  believe  that 
thou  art,  and  that  thou  wilt  reveal  thyself.     Kot  to  the 


252  beeciier's  pflpit  devotions. 

bodily  senses,  but  to  the  spirit,  thou  wilt  make  thyself 
manifest  when  the  time  comes,  and  we  are  prepared  to 
behold  the  King  in  his  glory.  Grant  that  we  may  have 
patience  and  faith  during  our  exile  from  home ;  and 
while  thou  art  preparing  us  to  return  with  joy  and  honor 
and  glory,  O  grant  that  our  hearts  may  evermore  tend 
upward,  and  that  we  may  make  it  the  happiness  of  our 
life,  and  the  strength  of  our  household  that  we  are 
journeying  together  toward  the  bright  and  promised 
land. 

Bless  us  in  our  endeavors  to  rear  our  children  for  bet- 
ter things  than  this  world  can  offer  them.  We  thank 
thee  that  there  is  so  much  stored  here  that  is  good,  for 
which  our  heart  should  be  grateful  to  thee ;  but  forbid 
that  we  should  be  misled  to  think  that  this  is  the  only 
portion  that  tliou  hast  given  us.  May  we  not  be  left  to 
suppose  that  what  we  have  on  earth  is  the  only  food  and 
drink  which  thou  hast  provided  for  our  thirst  and  hun- 
ger. Grant  that  we  may  behold  the  better  land,  and 
realize  the  more  glorious  promise  which  we  cannot  now 
understand.  And  may  we  aspire  to  bring  our  children, 
and  all  whom  we  love,  with  us  through  the  perils  and 
the  mistakes,  and  the  sins,  and  the  disappointments  of 
life,  to  that  bright  and  blessed  sphere  where  there  shall 
be  disappointments,  and  sins,  and  mistakes,  and  perils  no 
more  for  ever. 

We  beseech  thee  that  thou  wilt  especially  look  upon 
thy  servants  who  have  this  morning  stood  in  the  midst 
of  their  brethren  to  signify  publicly  that  they  will  rear 
these  their  children  accordhig  to  tlie  spirit  and  the  truths 
of  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ.  O  God,  be  merciful  to 
them,  and  strengthen  them.  Give  them  wisdom,  and 
patience,  and  gentleness,  and  firmness,  and  fidelity  in 


FILIAL    MEMORIAL.  253 

what  they  have  undertaken.  And  may  these  children 
live,  by  and  by,  to  comfort  and  sustain  thena. 

And  we  beseech  thee  that  thou  wilt  remember  all  who 
aforetime  have  here  presented  their  children  before  God, 
and  solemnly  dedicated  them  to  his  service.  May  they 
never  forget  the  vows  of  these  sacred  hours.  And  may 
those  feel  rebuked  who  tarry  behind  in  the  duties  that 
they  have  assumed,  and  in  the  purj^oses  that  they  have 
formed.  O  teach  every  heart  on  whom  thou  hast  be- 
stowed the  gift  of  such  little  children  as  these,  that  it  is 
a  call  of  God  to  higher  purity,  to  truth,  to  fidelity,  and 
to  Christian  manhood.  For  who  of  us  is  fit  to  rear  chil- 
dren for  thee  ;  to  be  teachers  of  thine  offspring  ?  Grant, 
O  God,  that  we  may  be  strengthened  to  do  our  will 
toward  our  children,  not  by  earthly  love,  but  by  the 
inspirations  of  a  heavenly  faith. 

And  now  that  the  fathers  are  going,  may  the  sons  be 
prepared  to  make  their  places  good,  and  more  than  good. 
We  thank  thee  that  thou  art  making  heaven  more  and 
more  desirable  as  we  draw  nearer  to  it.  Gathering 
there,  with  soundless  tramp  which  they  only  hear,  are 
innumerable  hosts,  upon  whom  sin  hath  no  more  power, 
and  death  hath  no  more  dominion.  They  are  God's, 
and  they  are  children  of  joy  and  hope  for  evermore. 
Thou  art  calling  from  out  of  our  midst  one  and  another, 
and  some  from  every  household. 

Thou,  most  merciful  God  and  Father,  that  dost  bend 
over  us  with  thy  bosom  of  love  as  the  blue  heavens  bend 
over  the  earth  with  the  sweet  influence  of  light  by  day, 
and  with  stars  of  guidance  by  night,  how  can  we  speak 
to  thee  of  all  the  mercies  which  thou  hast  made  manifest 
to  us  and  to  ours  ?  We  thank  thee  above  all  things  for 
the  revelation  that  thou  hast  made  to  us  of  the  love  that 


254  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

there  is  in  heaven.  The  great  Heart  that  suffered  yet 
lives  and  beats  for  us.  "We  are  wanted  in  heaven.  We 
are  longed  for  there.  ISTot  only  do  hearts  yearn  for  us 
on  this  side,  but  there  are  those,  of  whom  thou  art  the 
chiefest,  O  God  of  our  salvation,  who  desire  us  in  heaven. 
And  while  we  wait,  we  are  glad  that  thou  dost  experi- 
ence some  yearning  to  have  us  go.  Thou  art  taking 
many.  For  each  one  there  is  an  opening  of  the  gate  of 
heaven,  wliich  on  this  side  men  call  death,  but  which  on 
that  is  called  life.  Lord,  teach  every  one  who  is  called 
to  yield  children,  or  friends,  or  companions,  to  do  it  as  a 
Christian  should  ;  looking  through  the  sufferings  and 
trials  of  this  life  to  the  glorious  effulgence  of  the  life  that 
is  beyond.  We  wait  for  it.  We  long  for  it.  Living  or 
dying,  it  is  that  we  may  reign  with  thee  in  heaven. 

We  thank  thee  that  thou  hast  granted  us  the  teaching 
of  thy  sacred  truth  from  childhood,  and  that  the  name 
of  God  has  been  made  venerable  to  us  by  being  twined 
about  the  venerable  names  of  our  own  parents.  We  have 
learned  to  love  thee  by  learning  to  love  them,  as  well  as 
by  the  counsels  with  which  they  instructed  us  in  loving 
thee.  We  thank  thee  that  thou  hast  been  pleased  to  call 
our  father,*  who  has  labored  according  to  his  strength, 
and  whose  work  on  earth  is  accomplished,  to  his  rest,  for 
which  he  has  so  long  lingered,  wondering  why  he  went 
not.  Bless  his  memory.  And  may  that  work  which  he 
began,  go  on  still ;  handed  from  one  to  another.  Grant  a 
blessing  to  rest  upon  the  churches  that  he  ministered  to, 
that  he  loved,  and  that  loved  him.  May  his  teachings 
to  them  bear  abundant  fruit.  Thou  art  gathering  to 
thyself  precious  souls  from  among  them,  and  lieaven 
grows  rich.  But  earth  is  not  poor,  for  when  thou  takest 
*  Rgv.  Lyman  Becchcr,  D.  D.,  aged  ninety. 


FILIAL   MEMORIAL.  255 

one  thou  raisest  up  another  to  take  his  place.  And  thy 
work  shall  not  stop.  Thou,  O  God,  art  not  shaken  by 
storms  as  we  are.  Clouds  do  not  overshadow  thee  as 
they  do  us.  Go  on,  then,  and  fulfill  thy  purposes,  bring- 
ing forward  one  generation,  and  removing  another, 
according  to  thine  own  sovereign  will,  thou  that  art 
King  of  kings,  and  Lord  of  lords.  And  at  last  bring  us 
with  exceeding  joy,  through  the  infinite  mercy  and  love 
of  Jesus  Christ,  cleansed  and  made  meet  for  the  heavenly 
society  to  thyself,  that  we  may  walk  with  the  ransomed, 
and  take  part  in  that  praise  with  which  we  will  surround 
thy  throne,  giving  to  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Sv)irit, 
praise  for  evermore.     Amen. 


CLOSING  PRAYEB. 

Our  Father,  wilt  thou  bless  us  in  this  word  of  truth.  We  beseech  of 
thee  that  thou  wilt  make  the  power  of  it  to  be  more  and  more  felt  through- 
out this  congregation,  throughout  the  whole  land,  and  throughout  the 
world.  May  we  not  be  led  astray  by  any  device  of  the  human  under- 
standing; may  we  not,  by  the  subtilties  of  intellect,  be  left  to  put  our 
trust  and  faith  in  the  things  that  men  have.  Eeveal  thyself  to  us  so  that 
our  life  shall  be  love.  Eeveal  thy  spirit  in  us  so  that  our  life  to  each 
other  shall  be  love.  May  we  love  our  enemies  ;  may  we  quench  them  by 
our  love ;  may  we  love  one  another ;  may  love  abound  more  and  more ;  may 
it  be  the  blessed  gift  of  God  to  every  denomination,  and  0  may  we  awal^en 
to  see  the  fulfillment  of  the  long  unanswered  prayer,  and  may  Christ  see 
of  the  travail  of  hia  soul  and  bo  satisfied.  We  ask  it  for  Christ's  sake 
Amen. 


RETURN  FROM  ENGLA:ND. 


Sabbath  Morning,  Nov.  22,  1863. 

INVOCATION. 

"We  draw  near,  thou  that  art  never  far  from  us,  that  in  thy  light  and 
influence  "we  may  know  our  sonship,  and  be  able,  with  all  thine,  this 
morning,  to  call  thee  Father.  Rejoice  us  with  thy  light  invisible,  in  which 
our  souls  are  clothed  wlien  we  are  near  to  thee.  Help  us  to  read  thy 
word.  Help  us  to  sing  thy  praises.  Help  us  to  make  a  confession  of  our 
sins,  and  to  aspire  with  all  fond  desires  toward  holiness.  Help  us  this  day 
to  give  thanks.  And  in  communion  and  fellowship  with  thee,  make  this 
Sabbath  memorable  for  the  bounty  of  thy  grace.  We  ask  it  in  the  namo 
of  Jesus.     Amen. 

BEFORE   SERMON. 

Our  Father,  we  are  this  morning  drawn  to  thee  bj 
thine  own  nature.  Thou  art  present  with  us  even  in  the 
asking,  and  that  which  we  ask  is  of  thy  presence  ;  for 
thou,  in  the  greatness  of  thy  fatherhood,  art  breathing 
that  love  upon  us,  and  our  unknowing  hearts  are  taught 
of  thee  to  say,  Father.  And  this  morning,  thou  dost 
shadow  to  us,  faintly,  what  are  the  riches  of  that  love 
which  thou  hast  toward  us,  and  which  thou  art  begetting 
in  us  toward  thee.  Thou  art  unfolding  thyself  to  our 
thoughts,  not  in  the  greatness  of  thine  outward  power, 
which  the  heavens  declare  and  the  earth  manifests,  but 
in  the  more  wonderful  treasure  of  thine  inward  disposi- 
tion, where  thy  glory  dwells,  and  where  thou  art  promised 


258  beecher's  pulpit  deyotioxs. 

God,  in  tliine  ineffable,  in  thy  wondrous  power  of  sacri- 
fice, in  thy  tender  mercy  and  loving-kindness. 

We  desire  to  be  made  to  feel  that  all  tbings  are  ours — 
Christ,  and  God,  and  the  realm  where  they  dwell ;  that 
we  are  beloved  as  the  children  of  the  living  God ;  and 
that  no  good  thing  shall  we  lack  upon  earth,  and  none 
for  ever.  We  have  trusted  thee  blindly  in  days  gone  by  ; 
and  as  little  by  little  thou  hast  taught  us  more  intelli- 
gently to  trust  thee,  we  have  proved  thy  promises  and 
thy  nature,  and  never  found  thee  wanting.  And  we,  too, 
may  entitle  thee  the  God  who  dost  exceeding  abundantly^ 
'iuore  than  we  ash  or  thiiik, 

O  God !  our  burdens  have  never  been  heavy  enough 
to  crush  us.  Though  they  be  ever  so  heavy,  when  thine 
arm  is  underneath  us,  all  troubles  are  not  able  to  pierce 
us  unto  death.  When  thou  that  didst  wear  the  crown 
of  thorns  art  near  us  to  sustain  us  in  our  grief,  all  our 
wrestling  with  our  guilt  and  its  fears,  and  our  abase- 
ment and  anguish  and  distress  have  not  been  able  to 
overcome  us.  Since  we  are  bound  to  tliee  by  faith, 
nothing  can  separate  us  from  the  love  of  God  in  Christ 
Jesus — neither  things  present  nor  things  to  come,  nor  all 
the  wealth  of  trouble  that  the  world  has  for  us,  nor  all 
the  things  which  we  fear  in  the  great  invisible  future. 
Since  we  have  thee,  and  consciously  have  thee,  we  are 
armed  on  every  side,  not  against  suffering,  which  is  our 
right  and  baptism  by  which  we  take  hold  of  thee  and 
become  thy  disciples,  but  against  its  evils  in  over  measure, 
so  that  it  doth  not  destroy  us.  Yea,  w^e  can,  like  thyself, 
give  our  life  and  still  keep  it.  Having  power  to  lay  it 
down,  thou  hadst  power  to  take  it  up,  and  thou  hastsnid, 
"  Because  I  live,  ye  shall  live  also."  And  so  we  are 
bowed  down  in  a  death  anguish,  and  yet  lifted  up  into 


RETUEN  FROM  ENGLAND.  259 

newness  of  life  every  day ;  and  every  day,  througli  cruci- 
fixion, we  grow  strong  with  the  power  of  Christ,  and  are 
borne  up  by  it. 

So  thou  art  teaching  us  the  w^ondrous  lore  of  thy  king- 
dom within.  And  its  mystic  truths  are  unfolded  through 
our  experience,  and  not  through  our  thought.  Things 
which  we  may  not  understand  by  the  book  and  by  the 
letter,  little  by  little  thou  leadest  us  as  by  the  way,  and 
behold  !  they  are  written  in  our  hearts  and  we  understand 
them.  O  God,  thou  hast  laid  up  themes  for  gratitude 
for  life  eternal  in  our  experience ;  and  we  desire  this 
morning  to  accept  all  thy  mercies  to  us  through  Christ 
Jesus.  With  expressions  of  gratitude,  we  desire,  this 
morning,  to  recognize  our  dependence  uj)on  thee.  Our 
great  unv/orthiness  is  illustrated  by  thy  great  glory  and 
goodness.  We  are  witnesses,  our  father,  for  thee  to-day ; 
and  in  the  presence  of  thy  people,  and  before  the  great 
congregation,  we  desire  to  jvoin  hands  and  hearts  agaiii, 
invoking  thee  as  our  God.  Thy  service  shall  be  our  life. 
Our  liearts  are  temples  of  the  living  God ;  and  though 
idols  have  been  set  up  there,  thou,  O  God,  dost  not  desire 
the  temple,  but  the  idol  only.  And  in  great  mercy  thou 
will  make  all  things  that  are  dear  to  us,  dearer  by  depriving 
them  of  their  power  in  undue  measure  over  us.  Thou 
wilt  lead  us  through  humiliation  to  exaltation  ;  thou  Vvilt 
lead  us  downward,  that  we  may  stand  not  far  from  thy 
throne.  Thou  wilt  make  us  like  thyself.  Knowing  the 
baptism  and  knowing  the  cup,  we  still  say,  '^  Let  us  not 
sit  far  from  thy  right  hand  and  tliy  left  in  thy  glory." 
We,  better  instructed  than  the  children  that  came  unto 
thee  ambitiously,  knowing  what  it  is  to  follow  Christ, 
desire  still  to  follow.  Though  it  be  a  crown  of  thorns,  and 
the  road  to  the  cross,  we  desire  to  keep  thee  company. 


2 GO  beeciier's  pulpit  devotions. 

And  be  pleased  to  accept  tliis  morning  our  consecra- 
tion. 

"We  have  hung  heavy  npon  thee ;  we  have  been  chil- 
dren that  drew  backward  and  wandered  incessantly  from 
the  right  way.  Thy  patience,  had  it  been  other  than  di- 
vine, would  long  ago  have  been  weary  with  us ;  and  yet 
we  adore  and  admire  that  patience  that  has  not  been 
weary.  And  we  cast  ourselves  now,  unworthy  as  we  are, 
upon  thine  hands  and  upon  thy  heart.  Do  thou,  dear  and 
lovins:  God,  love  us,  and  teach  us  to  understand  thv  love, 
and  to  return  it ;  and  give  us  augmented  affections,  by 
their  being  purified,  till  we  may,  day  by  day,  live  more 
in  this  divine  atmosphere.  And  while  we  are  in  the 
world,  taking  part  in  our  necessary  duties  here,  may  we 
still  live  incessantly  in  the  spirit  of  Christ,  and  for  the 
things  that  are  dear  to  the  heart  of  Christ.  May  we  be 
able  to  consecrate  our  business,  our  ambitions,  our  plea- 
sm'es,  our  inmost  affections,  our  households,  and  all  tliat 
we  have,  to  the  service  of  the  Lord  our  living  God. 

Our  Father,  we  thank  thee  that  we  are  again  in  thy 
presence.  The  desire  of  our  heart  is  fulfilled,  and  we 
stand  again  in  thy  courts,  where  we  have  prayed  and 
] ousted  to  be.  Thou  hast  been  gracious  to  us  in  distant 
lands  and  upon  the  sea;  and  thou  hast  returned  us  again 
to  those  who  are  dearer  to  us  than  life  itself — to  our  own 
people  and  to  our  own  home.  And  we  desire,  O  God, 
this  morning,  to  recognize  thy  goodness,  which  we  can- 
not speak ;  and  we  desire  that  thou  wouldst  be  pleased  to 
accept  the  residue  of  our  life,  that  thou  wouldst  make  it 
more  and  more  efiicient  in  tliy  service,  that  nothing  may 
win  us  from  Christ,  that  nothing  may  win  us  from  his 
work,  or  from  the  sacrifices  that  he  requires  ;  that  we  may 
become  more  and  more  simple,  and  truthful,  and  humble, 


RETURN   FROM   ENGLAKD.  261 

and  consecrated  to  our  duty  among  men.  And  we  bc- 
fieech  of  thee  tliat  thou  wilt  accept  the  gratitude  of  thi3 
congregation,  and  their  aifection.  And  we  prav  tliat 
they,  too,  this  morning,  with  their  first  and  sweetest 
exercises  of  worship,  may  give  themselves  anew  to  God 
in  the  highest  consecration,  and  for  the  service  of  God  in 
the  midst  of  their  fellows.  May  they  not  seek  selfisli 
advancement.  May  they  be  delivered  from  all  pride 
and  vanity  of  disposition.  And  we  beseech  of  thee  that 
this  church,  now  united  again — pastor  and  people — may 
be  more  holy,  more  full  of  the  Spirit  of  the  living  God  ; 
that  out  of  this  church,  as  from  the  temple  of  the  Lord, 
there  may  go  forth  more  gospel  of  love,  that  shall  be  for 
the  regeneration  of  the  world. 

And  we  beseech  thee  that  thou  wilt  bless  all  the 
families  of  this  congregation — all  that  are  in  thy  presence 
this  morning.  Thou  hast  dealt  sorely  with  many,  but  not 
hardly.  Thou  hast  given  them  to  be  united  with  Christ 
in  suffering,  and  art  holding  for  them  the  fulfillment 
of  the  promise,  that  if  they  suffer  with  him  h?re,  they 
shall  reign  with  him  hereafter.  Put  thine  arm  round 
about  those  who  are  still  weak  with  trouble ;  those  that 
wander,  calling  their  Father  and  finding  him  not ;  those 
that  cannot  subdue  the  natural  feelings  that  spring  up 
under  the  chastisements  of  thy  providence.  O  God,  thou 
art  the  Teacher,  Guide,  and  Comforter.  Be  with  those 
that  must  yet  walk  in  the  darkness  or  in  the  fiery  furnace, 
and  sustain  them  in  all  thy  dispensations,  that  their  faith 
may  not  fail,  and  that  thy  work  in  them  may  be  per- 
fected in  thine  own  time.  And  upon  those  who  are 
struggling  under  cares,  and  burdens,  and  griefs,  and 
disappointments,  lift,  we  beseech  thee,  the  quickening 
light  of  morning.     We  are  yet  walking  in  the  twilight, 


262  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

but  now,  wlien  sunrise  is  at  hand,  how  near  to  us  is  the 
coming  of  that  tranquil  kingdom  from  whose  sky  is 
banished  cloud  and  storm  and  trouble.  And  let  the 
vision  of  the  near  future  overcome  the  present,  that  we 
bear  our  cares  and  drink  our  cup,  and,  with  joy  and  songs 
in  the  night,  show  forth  the  power  of  God  to  sustain  his 
afflicted  people. 

And,  we  beseech  of  thee,  remember  not  only  tliis 
church  and  congregation,  but  all  that  are  gathered  in 
the  sabbath-school  and  in  classes  for  instruction  in  thy 
word.  Those  that  teach — may  they  be  taught  of  God  ; 
and  those  that  learn — may  they  learn  the  veritable  love 
of  thy  Spirit. 

We  beseech  thee  that  all  the  churches  gathered  to- 
gether  to-day  may  be  filled  with  thy  light  and  presence. 

Remember  our  whole  land,  thou  that  art  guiding  us 
in  a  way  that  we  know  not  of.  We  commit  ourselves 
to  thy  paternal  care.  Give  wisdom  to  the  State  and 
National  governments.  May  the  President  of  these 
United  States  continually  be  inspired  and  led  by  the 
Spirit  of  the  living  God.  May  those  that  are  his  coun- 
sellors have  the  light  of  purity,  and  truth,  and  faith. 
And  grant  that  our  armies  may  be  jirospered,  and  that 
victory  may  at  last  come  when  we  shall  have  been  pre- 
pared to  use  victory  in  consistence  with  our  own  princi- 
ples. Unite  this  people  more  and  more.  May  they 
come  faster  and  nearer  than  they  themselves  think  to 
those  o-reat  essential  truths  on  which  also  tliev  can  stand 
in  firm  prosperity. 

Have  compassion  upon  the  nations  of  the  earth.  He- 
member  the  people  with  Avhom  we  have  sojourned. 
Grant,  we  beseech  of  thee,  a  blessing  upon  all  that  are 
in  authority  there ;  upon  all  there  that  love  thee,  and 


EETUEN  FEOM  ENGLAND.  263 

call  upon  thy  name ;  npon  all  those  there  that  are  in 
ignorance,  struggling  in  tlieir  distress  upward,  and  seek- 
ing a  place  to  stand  on  as  men.  And  grant  that  all  the 
nations  of  the  continent,  and  all  the  nations  of  the  world, 
may  begin  to  march,  hearing  the  sound  of  thy  trumpet 
and  warnins:.  Aud,  turnino-  their  faces  toward  the 
bright  light  of  truth,  may  they  begin  to  come  forward, 
until  the  whole  earth  shall  be  in  procession,  and  God 
shall  be  their  leader. 

Hear  us  in  these  our  petitions,  and  answer  us  for 
Christ's  sake.     Amen. 


CLOSING    PRATER. 

Tiiou  that  hast  bowed  do"WTi  thine  head  for  us,  thou  that  art  a  Prince 
and  a  Saviour,  but  wert  despised  and  rejected  for  our  sake,  blessed  be  thy 
name  that  thou  hast  not  forgotten  in  all  thy  glory  our  poverty,  our  trouble 
and  temptation ;  tliou  art  with  us  yet  more  than  thou  wert  in  Jerusalem 
with  thy  disciples.  No  bodily  flesh  separates  between  thee  and  us  ;  no 
hindrance;  now,  thou  canst  enter  in  and  dwell  with  us.  Be  pleased,  then, 
thou  that  sendest  light  and  truth,  to  enter  into  every  heart  and  fulfill  the 
promise  that  thou  wouldst  come  and  abide  and  sup  with  them,  that  thou 
dost  become  a  friend  in  all  the  ofSces  and  intimacies  of  friendship.  "We 
bseeech  of  thee  that  thou  wilt  so  search  us,  so  try  us,  and  teach  us  to  see 
what  things  are  evil,  to  strive  against  sin,  and  to  resist  it  to  tho  uttermost. 
Teach  us  to  be  true  before  God,  and  not  mock  thee  with  a  lie  ;  teach  us  to 
be  true  before  the  power  of  our  own  consciousness,  and  not  fall  into  that 
serious  delusion.  Grant,  we  beseech  of  thee,  that  we  may  be  strong  in  all 
the  things  that  are  right,  and  manly,  and  fearless,  and  open,  and  that  we 
withdraw  ourselves  utterly  from  the  secrecies  of  iniquity ;  that  we  may 
utterly  abhor  transgression,  and  turn  from  it ;  but  in  this  struggle,  in  this 
whole  conflict,  in  all  the  way  of  our  imperiled  life,  through  all  the  valley 
and  the  shadow  of  death,  be  with  us,  that  we  may  not  trust  ourselves 
alone,  but  that  our  strength  may  be  inspired  by  thine  and  our  wisdom 
made  sure  by  the  inspiration  of  thine,  that  we  may  work  out  our  salvation 
with  fear  and  trembling,  because  it  is  God  that  worketh  in  us  to  will  and 
to  do  of  his  good  pleasure.  And  if  we  appear  in  Zion  before  God,  we  will 
g-ive  the  praise  of  our  salvation  to  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Spirit. 
Amen. 


FAST  DAY  IN  WAR. 


A2ml  30,   1863. 

INVOCATION. 

Be  pleased,  Almighty  God,  this  morning  to  smile  upon  us;  for  we  are 
drawn  hither  by  thy  Spirit,  moved,  wo  trust,  to  repentance  and  to  con- 
fession before  thy  great  and  reverend  name.  Prepare  our  hearts,  then, 
for  the  offices  of  this  work.  "Withdraw  our  thoughts  from  things  that 
shall  hinder.  Lift  up  our  minds  to  that  sphere  where  thou  dwellest,  that 
we  may  take  the  measure  of  human  judgments  and  of  human  wants  from 
thy  inspiration.  And  may  the  exercises  of  the  sanctuary  to-day,  and  the 
exercises  of  our  homes,  be  acceptable  in  thy  sight.  "VYe  ask  it  for  Christ's 
Bake.     Amen. 

BEFORE   SERMON. 

Almighty  God,  give  us  thy  divine  influence,  by  wliicli 
we  shall  reach  forth  to  thee  and  find  thee.  Let  us  not 
to-day  take  counsel  of  our  weakness,  nor  of  our  sins,  nor 
of  our  passions.  Raise  us  by  thine  own  inbreathing,  that 
we  may  think  of  thee  from  our  own  conscience,  from 
love,  and  from  that  in  us  which  is  higher  and  diviner, 
that  we  may  come  to  the  knowledge  of  God  indeed. 
And  grant  that  w^e  may  be  so  separated  from  our  own 
sympathies  and  self-pityings,  that  we  may  for  the  time 
stand  by  thy  side  and  look  back  upon  our  life,  indi- 
vidually and  collectively,  and  measure  it,  without  shrink- 
ing, as  thou  dost  measure  it,  and  pronounce  sentence 
upon  it,  as  thou,  from  out  of  the  law  of  righteoueness, 

12 


2G6  BEECIIEll's    rULPlT   DEVOTIONS. 

elialt  judge  it.  Deliver  ii3,  we  beseecli  thee,  from  the 
delusions  of  sin,  and  from  that  blindness  which  we  bring 
upon  ourselves  by  self-flatter j.  Deliver  us  from  a  dis- 
position to  defend  our  misconduct.  Let  us  not  seek  to 
extenuate  or  palliate  it.  Grant  that  we  may  behold  oui 
delinquency,  or  our  complicity  with  others  that  have 
Binned,  and  that  with  simpleness  and  singleness  of  heart, 
and  true  contrition,  we  may  confess  them  all  before  thee; 
and  may,  witli  full  purpose  of  heart,  covenant  to  forsake 
our  transfi-ressions. 

Grant  that  every  one  of  us  may  this  morning  review 
his  own  state.  Reveal  to  us  by  the  Holy  Spirit  what  wo 
are.  Grant  that  we  may  have  some  estimate  of  how  we 
stand  in  the  presence  of  our  God.  And  help  every  one 
of  us  with  secret  thought  and  with  silent  fidelity  to 
measure  and  estimate  and  confess  his  individual  sins  be- 
fore thee.  Whatever  tliere  has  been  of  selfishness,  of 
guile,  of  hardness,  whatever  of  pride  and  vanity,  what- 
ever vagrancy  of  imagination,  whatever  of  neglect  of 
things  that  were  incumbent  upon  us,  whatever  of  unper- 
formed duties,  O  Lord,  help  us  to  confess  it  with  con- 
trition of  heart.  They  are  sovereign  delinquencies,  for 
they  are  against  thee.  Our  sins  are  buffetings,  and  we 
have  smitten  him  whose  patience  bears  with  us  and  gives 
us  the  very  power  to  sin.  We  pray  that  we  may  feel  to- 
day how  hateful  it  is  to  take  advantage  of  God's  good- 
ness that  should  lead  us  to  repentance,  and  build  upon 
it  an  argument  for  carelessness  and  continuance  in  wrong- 
doing. 

O  God,  may  we  be  melted  by  thy  love,  and  drawn  away 
from  the  wish  to  sin.  May  we  have  that  ingenuousness 
and  frankness  of  heart  which  shall,  when  we  detect  or 
even  suspect  our  wrong,  fill  us  with  son'ow,  and  bring  us 


FAST   DAT    IN   WAR.  267 

speedily  to  thee  for  confession  and  for  strength  against 
easily  besetting  sins;  for  only  thou  canst  cleanse  us.  We 
have  not  the  power  to  cleanse  ourselves.  We  can  -in 
each  case  discern  the  wrong,  for  we  may  separate  it,  and 
resist  special  temptation,  and  know  that  we  are  responsi- 
ble ;  and  yet  life  flows,  not  with  single  drops,  but  as  a 
flood,  and  we  are  caught,  and  whirled,  and  whelmed  in 
the  multitude  of  its  events.  We  cannot  find  out  all 
sinful  tendencies  nor  waive  them.  Every  day  we  find 
that  we  have  been  inspired  by  things  not  suspected  ;  that 
we  have  over-measured  or  under-estimated  ;  and  con- 
tinually our  judgment  is  against  us,  and  we  know  that 
unless  there  is  given  us  that  sovereign  inspiration  of  God 
which  shall  cause  us  to  dwell  in  that  higher  atmosphei'e, 
and  that  holier  moral  disposition  which  temptation  can 
scarcely  shoot  so  strong  as  to  hit,  we  cannot  maintain 
ourselves  nor  please  thee.  Grant,  then,  that  we  may 
have  the  divine  help  to  be  lifted  above  the  region  where 
temptations  mainly  roll  and  dash,  that  we  may  be  secure 
and  pure. 

Grant,  also,  that  we  may  look  into  our  households,  to 
see  what  is  wrong  there,  and  that  with  an  inspired  hand 
we  may  put  that  right  which  is  wrong.  Deliver  us,  we 
beseech  of  thee,  from  that  wickedness  of  pride  which 
shall  make  us  unwilling  to  do  that  which  is  right,  because 
we  have  done  that  which  is  wrong.  Grant  that  we  may 
examine  the  law  of  our  lips  and  see  if  we  have  sinned 
there.  May  we  examine  our  hearts,  and  know  if  tb  3  law 
of  love  or  unkindness  is  there.  May  we  see  what 
fidelities  we  have  meted  out  on  eveiy  side.  Ma}  it  be 
our  honest  and  earnest  purpose  to  serve  God  more 
faithfully  in  our  households  than  ever  we  have  done 
before. 


268  beeciier's  pulpit  devotioxs. 

And,  O  God,  grant  ns  lieart-searchings  and  strivings 
of  the  Spirit  in  regard  to  tlie  whole  sphere  of  duties  that 
have  lain  so  Rightly  upoii  us  in  respect  to  our  neighbors 
and  our  fellow-men.  How  have  we  sought  cliiefly  our 
own  good !  How  hard  have  been  our  aiiections !  A¥e 
have  not  been  easy  to  be  entreated.  We  have  not 
counted  it  better  to  give  than  to  receive.  We  have 
come  to  be  ministered  unto,  and  not  to  minister.  We 
have  refused  to  be  servants  of  others,  that  we  might 
thus  be  chief.  We  have  sought  our  own  glory,  and 
walked  in  the  light  of  our  own  interest.  We  have 
been  of  the  woi'ld,  worldly.  We  confess  our  trans- 
gressions. We  see  the  better  way,  O  Lord  God  ;  and 
how  shall  we  walk  in  it  ?  The  purpose  is  with  us, 
the  law  is  holy  and  just  and  good,  and  we  do  approve 
it  after  the  inward  man ;  but  how,  in  the  seductions  of 
the  Vv^oild,  in  the  allurements  of  the  feelings,  shall  we 
walk  according  to  the  lordliness  of  thine  example  ? 
Grant,  O  God,  that,  with  a  sense  of  om*  misconduct  and 
sinfulness,  and  of  the  hatefulness  of  it — grant  that,  with 
a  sense  of  the  beanty  of  lioliness  in  this  sphere  of  action 
and  duty,  we  may  have  from  this  time  forth  grace 
ministered  to  us  to  do  better  than  we  have  ever  done 
before. 

And  we  beseech  thee  that  thou  wilt  also  help  us  to 
review  the  sins  that  lay  upon  as  a  burden,  in  view  of 
our  connection  with  this  great  civil  estate  into  which 
we  are  born.  We  cannot  withdraw  ourselves  from  its 
care  and  responsibility.  It  is  ordained  of  God,  and  our 
duties  as  citizens  are  a  part  of  our  duty  to  thee.  We 
are  called  of  God  to  frame  laws ;  we  are  called  of  God 
to  appoint  officers  to  execute  those  laws ;  we  are  called 
of  God  to  determine  all  the  policies  of  this  great  ua 


FAST   DAT   IN   WAR.  209 

tion  ;  and  we  look  upon  our  life  to  see  wlietlier  we 
have  served  this  nation  according  to  its  desert,  accord- 
ing to  the  purpose  that  God  had  in  its  establishment, 
and  according  to  all  that  it  was  sent  to  do  for  this  poor 
sin-smitten  world ;  and  we  behold  how,  through  our 
negligence,  it  liath  been  tampered  with,  poisoned,  cor- 
rupted, and  diseased;  how,  while  we  have  slept,  the 
enemies  of  God  have  been  wakeful  and  jubilant ;  and 
how  iniquity  hath  stolen  the  march  of  goodness. 

We  mourn  over  our  past  delinquency,  our  guilty 
silence,  our  culpable  indifference,  our  selfishness  in 
security,  our  fear  of  reputation,  that  held  us  back  from 
faithful  testimonies  in  the  days  of  trial.  We  look  at  our 
indifference  toward  those  that  have  been  wronged,  and 
bear  our  part  of  the  guilt  of  wickedness  and  oppression 
in  this  land.  O  Lord,  we  pray  that  thou  wilt  hold  thy 
people  in  the  hollow  of  thy  hand,  that  they  may  look  at 
the  oppressions  of  those  who  have  suffered  a  thousand 
times  more  than  they.  When  they  rush  to  war  to  vindi- 
cate their  own  rights,  may  they  not  be  deaf  to  the  out- 
cries of  the  oppressed.  And  may  we  remember  that  if  we 
have  not  ourselves  put  the  yoke  upon  them,  we  have 
helped  to  lay  that  burden  on  them  which  they  have 
been  yoked  to  bear  and  draw.  If  we  have  not  inflicted 
the  suffering,  we  have  stood  consenting,  and  bearing  the 
clothes  of  those  who  were  stoning  and  beating  them 
down.  We  have  known  that  our  brethren  suffered,  bone 
of  our  bone,  blood  of  our  blood,  children  of  redemption, 
heirs  of  Calvary,  God-thought-of,  angel-watched,  con- 
voyed by  sweet  and  blessed  messengers  from  the  throne 
of  the  universe,  and  tending  to  the  same  heaven  to  which 
we  are  tending ;  and  we  have  been  indifferent  to  their 
great  trouble.     We  have  suffered  our  land  to  be  overrun 


270  irEECIIiiR's    PULPIT   DEVOTIOXS. 

by  injustice  ;  the  ways  of  government  to  be  perverted  ; 
and,  from  interest,  from  a  sense  of  our  own  security,  and 
from  a  most  unria-hteous  indiflerence  to  the  wroufcs  of 
others,  we  have  allowed  this  great  evil  to  come  upon  the 
nation. 

And  now,  O  God,  tliou  hast  come  down  to  hear  the 
cries  of  those  that  have  pleaded  long,  but  whom  we  would 
not  hear.  And  we  are  suffering  beneath  thy  blows. 
We  cannot  help  it ;  and  we  rejoice  that  thou  art  a  God 
that  will  hear  the  oppressed,  though  we  are  their  op- 
pressors. Thou,  O  God,  wilt  vindicate  the  poor  and 
needy.  If  they  are  dumb,  they  need  not  speak  to  be 
lieard ;  if  they  are  utterly  helpless,  the  right  hand  of 
Omnipotence  is  theirs.  And  all  the  reasonings  of  men, 
and  ail  their  glozings  of  deceit,  and  all  pretentious  ex- 
cuses are  in  thy  sight  as  the  dust  of  the  summer's 
threshing-floor ;  and  when  thou  slialt  breathe  thy  winds 
upon  them,  they  shall  be  swept  away  utterly  and  for 
ever. 

We  adore  thy  throne  of  judgment,  that  stands  unmoved 
in  the  midst  of  war  and  confusion  ;  and  we  humble  our- 
selves before  thee  to-day,  not  attempting  to  discriminate 
between  our  sins  and  others,  but  asking  thee  to  accept 
the  confession  that  we  make  for  our  unmeasured  trans- 
gressions. We  discern  and  feel  that  as  members  of  this 
great  nation  we  have  most  grievously  sinned  against  light 
and  knowledge,  against  the  truth  of  thy  word,  against 
every  principle  of  our  own  laws  and  institutions,  against 
our  own  education,  against  the  generous  sentiments  of 
every  unperverted  human  bosom.  We  have  sinned 
against  exam2:)les.  We  knew  that  we  were  doing  wrong ; 
and  our  briberies  have  been  the  goods  that  perished  in 
this  world.     And  we  have  been  brought  into  this  exigency 


FAST   DAY   IN   WAR.  271 

because  we  have  taken  a  mess  of  pottage  for  oiii*  birtli- 
riglit  of  liberty. 

May  we  not  add  otlier  sins  to  the  past  ones.  Let  its 
not  seek  anew  to  deceive  thee  as  we  have  deceived  our- 
selves, and  sought  to  deceive  thee  in  times  past.  Let 
there  be  a  thorough  work  wrought  in  this  people.  We 
thank  thee  for  any  signs  and  tokens  of  remembrance,  and 
we  pray  that  thou  wilt  restore  us  to  the  love  of  simple 
justice,  and  that  tlie  rights  of  men  as  children  of  God 
may  become  precious  in  the  sight  of  this  great  nation. 
And  prepare  it  for  that  mission  for  which  we  trust  it  is 
now  passing  through  the  fire. 

Be  pleased  to  remember  all  that  are  in  authority.  Bo 
with  the  President  of  these  United  States.  We  thank 
thee  that  thou  hast  given  him  so  much  of  wisdom  ;  and 
that  thou  hast  been  pleased  to  guide  him  so  safely  arid 
so  prudently  thus  far.  Yet  uphold  him.  Augment  his 
wisdom  with  gathered  experience.  Make  him  more  and 
more  sim>ple  and  single  for  justice  and  righteousness. 
May  all  those  that  are  his  counselors  be  themselves  coun- 
seled of  God.  And  may  this  nation,  by  its  government, 
be  led  in  a  way  that  it  knows  not  of  May  the  generals 
that  command  our  armies  be  more  and  more  men  that 
shall  love  the  principles  of  that  government  for  which 
they  contend.  Grant  unto  them  victory.  Grant  unto 
our  armies  the  power  to  cope  with  those  that  are  in 
battle  array  against  liberty  and  its  constituted  govern- 
ment. Overthrow  rebellion.  Change  the  minds  of  those 
that  are  now  involved  in  its  mischiefs.  Kestore  tiieni 
ao^ain,  we  beseech  of  thee,  to  the  love  of  union  as  the 
instrument  of  liberty.  And  we  pray  that  tliou  wilt  not 
give  us  peace,  until  thou  shalt  have  prepared  this  nation 
to  be  the  champion  of  human  rights  and  liberties.     Still 


272  BEECHEH'S    PULPIT   DEVOTIONS. 

stir  us  up  ;  and,  if  need  be,  chastise  us  again  and  again, 
until  by  our  suffering  we  sliall  come  into  sympathy  with 
those  that  suifer.  Then  may  our  righteousness  be  as  the 
morning  light.  Then  let  the  choral  testimony  of  the 
multitudes  of  this  land  be  heard  rolling  as  the  anthem  of 
salvation  all  around  the  world.  Then  may  they  that  sit 
in  darkness,  wondering  that  the  sun  hath  risen  in  the 
west,  rise  up.  Then  may  the  nations  that  are  oppressing 
their  common  people  be  overthrown  in  their  dynasties, 
and  the  rights  of  men  be  established  everywhere.  Then 
may  there  speedily  be  heard  that  glorious  song,  that  shall 
fill  all  the  heavens  above,  announcing  that  the  cause  of 
the  nations  in  this  world  has  become  the  cause  of  our 
Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  and  that  he  shall  reign 
on  the  earth.  And  the  praise  shall  be  given  to  the 
Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Spirit.     Amen. 


MOURNING   BECAUSE    OF   WAR. 


Sabbath  Morning,  Jan.  24,  18G4. 

INVOCATION. 

Thou  Eternal  God,  out  of  the  infinite  fullness  of  thy  love  breathe  forth 
the  supply  of  life  for  us;  for  in  thee  we  live,  and  move,  and  liave  our 
being.  With  gratitude  for  the  past,  and  believing  that  thou  art  more 
pleased  to  give  than  "we  are  to  receive,  we  come  imploring  a  continuanco 
of  thy  mercies.  Give  us  the  illumination  of  tliy  Spirit,  that  we  may  read  thy 
word  with  understanding  hearts,  and  that  we  may  join  in  sacred  ascrip- 
tions of  praise  by  prayer  and  by  singing.  Grant  unto  us  the  moving 
power  of  thought,  that  we  may  know  what  are  the  things  of  truth,  and 
that  we  may  ponder  them  for  our  good.  And  may  all  the  services  of  the 
sanctuary  give  evidence  of  thy  presence,  and  bless  us.  We  ask  it  for 
Christ's  sake.     Amen 

BEFORE   SERMON. 

Unto  thee,  O  God,  sliall  all  flesh  come.  For  the  whole 
world  hath  sighed  for  thee.  This  creation,  that  hath 
groaned  and  travailed  in  pain  until  now,  not  knowing 
what  it  needed,  needs  thee.  For  in  thy  bosom  only  is 
consolation  for  all  that  are  afflicted ;  is  strength  for  all 
that  are  weak ;  is  healing  for  all  that  are  sick ;  is  forgive- 
ness for  all  that  are  sinful.  Thou,  O  wonderful  God, 
hidden  from  our  outward  sight,  sittest  in  the  center  of 
creation,  reaching  forth  the  arms  of  love  and  of  succor, 
to  nourish,  to  nurse,  to  create,  to  sustain ;  to  annihilate 
and  utterly  sweep  away  evil.  Unapproachable  and  in- 
comprehensible, thou  hearest  the  cries  of  thy  creatures  ; 

12* 


274  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

tlioii  knowest  their  wants,  and  in  tliine  own  invisible 
and  mysterious  way  thou  art  eternally  active,  giving 
endlessly  forth  from  thine  own  self  the  stores  of  being 
and  of  succor. 

We  rejoice  before  thee ;  and  since  thou  hast  been 
pleased  to  reveal  thyself  to  us,  representing  imperfectly, 
and  yet  sufficiently,  what  thou  art,  in  all  the  sweet  and 
familiar  images  of  love,  and  in  all  the  blessed  relation- 
ships of  human  life ;  since  thou  hast  come  into  this 
world,  not  alone  manifesting  thyself  in  the  person  of 
our  Saviour,  but  giving  us  our  language,  our  institu- 
tions, and  our  customs,  whereby  to  represent  thyself  to 
our  dormant  and  uncomprehending  mind ;  we  discern,  at 
last,  the  beginning  of  thy  being.  O  God,  we  desire  to 
hush  every  fear  and  all  repining.  Thou  art  supreme. 
"We  need  not  tell  thee  any  thing.  Thy  wisdom  is  all-com- 
prehending. The  end  from  the  beginning  thou  knowest. 
Every  hair  of  our  head  is  numbered.  'Not  a  sparrow 
shall  fall  to  the  ground  without  our  Father's  notice. 

The  coming  of  winter  and  the  going  thereof — the  pro- 
cession of  the  seasons,  and  all  their  variations,  are  before 
thee.  Man  and  his  wants,  nations  and  their  wants, 
thou  dost  behold.  We  rejoice  that  all  things  are  naked 
and  opeii  before  him  with  whom  we  have  to  do.  There 
we  have  succor  where  best  we  are  known.  There  we 
have  consolation  where  most  there  is  purity,  and  know- 
ledge, and  wisdom,  and  power.  But,  O  Lord,  we  cannot 
but  wrestle  with  the  questions  of  life — why  thou  art  so 
long  in  coming ;  why  nations  so  long  sit  in  darkness ;  ' 
why  wars  and  their  cruelties  march  in  such  gigantic  pro- 
cession over  the  earth.  When,  O  God,  when  shall  the 
lires  go  out  ?  When  shall  thy  kingdom  be  established  in 
all  the  earth  ?     When  shall  men,  forsaking  their  animal 


MOURNING    BECAUSE    OP    WAR.  275 

nature,  rise  up  and  begin  to  live  in  that  which  is  God- 
like ?  We  beseech  of  thee,  tliou  King  of  ages,  look  forth., 
and  delay  not  thy  coming,  for  the  earth  doth  wait  for 
tliee.  The  cries  of  the  poor — have  they  not  come  np  into 
thine  ears  ?  And  the  oppressions  of  the  strong — has  not 
thy  heart  felt  them  ?  Thou  that  art  the  refuge  of  the 
afflicted,  O  how  populous  must  thou  have  been,  if  all 
that  have  been  in  affliction  in  every  age  have  taken 
refuge  in  thee !  Be  pleased  to  advance  thy  kingdom, 
and  to  make  haste,  in  these  latter  days,  to  fulfill  the  pre- 
dictions and  promises  which  respect  thy  kingdom  through- 
out the  world. 

We  beseech  thee,  O  God,  to  help  each  of  us  in  his 
place  to  advance  the  kingdom  of  God  in  his  own  dispo- 
sition by  patience,  by  humility,  by  self-abnegation,  by 
love  in  a  true  benevolence.  May  we  lay  the  foundations 
of  God's  kingdom  in  ourselves,  seeking  others'  good  even 
at  the  expense  of  our  own,  waiting  patiently  one  for 
another,  as  thou  hast  waited  for  us. 

We  beseech  thee  that  thou  wilt  grant  that  thy  king- 
dom may  come  in  thine  own  church.  Again  enter  the 
temple.  Again  drive  out  the  money-changers,  and  those 
that  sell  oxen  and  doves  therein.  Make  thy  house  every- 
where a  house  of  God.  May  justice,  may  truth,  may 
love  prevail ;  and  may  the  power  of  the  gospel  that  is 
preached  in  thy  churches  in  all  this  land  awaken  us  to  a 
a  sense  of  our  guilt  because  of  our  delinquency ;  becauao 
we  have  left  thee  without  a  witness  ;  because  so  largely 
thy  people  sympathize  with  the  oppression  of  the  poor. 

Thou  art  afflicting  this  nation,  and  thousands  and 
thousands  are  shaken  out  of  their  places.  O  God,  is  not 
the  time  of  suffering  enough  ?  Has  there  not  been  blood 
enough  ?     Thou  that  didst  shed  thine  own  ;  thou  that 


276  beecher's  pulpit  devotioxs. 

didst  wrestle  and  pray  for  release,  and  that  yet  didst  take 
the  cup  which  might  not  pass,  we  pray  that  our  cup  may 
pass.  Yet,  thy  will,  and  not  ours,  be  done.  We  are 
cast  down ;  we  are  smitten  to  the  ground ;  we  cannot  look 
upon  those  that  are  blood  of  our  blood  and  bone  of  our 
bone,  and  know  their  wretchedness  and  misery.  We 
cannot  think  of  children  suffering ;  we  cannot  think  of 
the  innocent  being  driven  to  the  mountains,  and  through 
the  secluded  and  wintry  way ;  we  cannot  think  of  tlie 
groans,  we  cannot  think  of  the  tears,  we  cannot  think  of 
the  heart-breaking  anguish  that  has  desolated  so  many, 
and  not  believe  that  the  day  of  thy  wrath  is  upon  us. 

Thou  art  making  inquisition  for  thy  poor.  Thou  hast 
come  to  judge  this  nation  because  it  has  been  a  slave- 
holding  nation,  and  thou  art  punishing  it.  Yet  is  there 
not  mercy  with  thee  ?  Shall  there  be  utter  wrath  ? 
And  shall  the  cup  be  mingled  with  the  wine  of  thine 
indignation  ?  And  shall  we  drink  it  to  the  very  dregs, 
and  swoon,  and  pass  away  ?  O  God,  have  mercy.  Turn, 
we  beseech  thee,  the  hearts  of  those  in  rebellion  from 
their  wickedness.  Break  down  the  power  of  those  mis- 
guided men  that  lead  rebellion  with  an  armed  host. 
Give  wisdom,  and  skill,  and  victory  to  those  that  are 
maintaining  government,  and  justice,  and  now,  tardily, 
liberty.  And  that  this  terrible  scourge  may  not  go  on, 
wilt  thou  give  those  poor  and  ignorant  men,  that  seek, 
by  their  counsels  and  compromisings,  yet  again  to  wind 
about  us  the  death-bond  of  slavery,  to  know  that  our 
sufferings  are  from  this  iniquity,  and  that  our  hope  is  in 
repentance  of  our  injustice,  and  in  God's  mercy  to  us. 

Look  in  compassion  upon  all  that  mourn.  How  great 
is  the  company  !  In  almost  every  household  are  those 
who  have  lost  near  and  dear  ones.     God,  have  mercy 


MOURNING   BECAUSE    OF    WAB.  277 

Upon  tliem.  And,  we  beseech  thee,  that  in  all  their 
hours  of  darkness,  in  that  pilgrimage  of  sorrow  through 
which  they  must  walk,  they  may  at  least  have  the  light 
of  thy  countenance,  and  thy  consoling  presence.  For, 
Lord  God,  out  from  thy  justice  and  thy  government  we 
behold  shining  with  sweet  effulgence  the  name  written 
on  thy  breast,  in  letters  that  shall  never  die.  The  Com- 
forter. O  Comforter,  behold  how  many  need  thee. 
Behold  thy  desolate  ones.  Behold  the  little  children. 
Behold  the  enslaved  and  the  beaten  down.  Behold 
widows  in  their  anguish,  and  the  fatherless.  Behold  how 
many  are  wounded  and  sick,  that  suffer  night  and  day, 
and  know  no  relief.  Behold  the  perplexed  counsels  and 
the  distress  of  heart  of  many  that  are  well-nigh  turned 
to  stone. 

O  God,  have  compassion  upon  this  nation.  Pity  it, 
and  forgive  it,  and  restore  to  it  the  light  of  thy  counte- 
nance and  the  joy  of  thy  salvation.  Yet,  in  the  midst  of 
all  our  trouble,  and  in  the  sense  which  we  have  of  our 
national  suffering,  thou  still  dost  give  us  grace  to  say, 
"  Let  not  thy  liand  be  lifted  till  our  sins  be  purged  away." 
Make  us  a  pure  nation.  Make  this  a  nation  that  shall 
fear  God  and  love  man.  And  may  the  sacredness  of 
manhood  rise  among  this  people  as  it  never  h^s  risen  in 
any  nation  on  the  earth,  to  show  something  of  the  final 
fruits  of  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ. 

We  beseech  thee,  O  God,  that  thou  wilt  look  upon 
the  members  of  this  consireo-ation  in  their  several  neces- 
sities.  Are  there  any  of  them  that  sit  in  darkness  ? 
May  their  night  be  one  with  stars.  May  it  be  morning, 
with  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  therein.  Grant,  we  pray 
thee,  that  they  may  know  their  way  to  thee.  And  may 
every  one  that  mourns  know  that  there  is  an  ear  that  is 


278  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

never  closed,  and  that  there  is  a  heart  that  is  never  less 
than  full  of  love  for  them.  And  though,  groping  in  the 
darkness,  they  find  no  way,  though  all  seems  to  them 
cold  and  heartless,  may  God's  Spirit  show  them  how  to 
become  sons  of  God,  that  they  may  be  sure  that  there  is 
a  Father  near  to  them.  And  we  pray  thee  that  all  tliat 
are  burdened  may  know  that  secret  way  whereby 
burdens  are  removed  from  the  shoulders,  that  all  that  are 
troubled  may  be  led  into  the  path  of  peace.  May  all  that 
need  God  find  thee  and  be  found  of  thee. 

O  strengthen  every  one  against  temptation.  Open 
the  way  of  escape  to  all  that  are  in  peril.  Give  liglit  in 
their  secular  affairs  to  all  that  need  the  guidance  of  thy 
providence.  Eaise  up  friends  for  those  that  are  friend- 
less. Draw  near  w^ith  comfort  to  all  those  that  are  in 
suffering  or  in  sickness.  Bless  all  that  would  fain  be  in 
this  congregation  to-day,  but  that  only  by  wistful  thoughts 
can  be.  Wilt  thou  be  pleased  to  be  with  the  parents 
that  assemble  here  from  time  to  time.  Bring  nearer  to 
them  the  immortality  of  their  children.  And  by  tlie 
love  that  they  bear  those  children  in  this  world  may  they 
be  able  to  guide  them,  as  by  the  light  of  thy  face,  to  that 
sphere  where  love  shall  be  immortal,  and  where  troubles 
shall  be  no  more  for  ever. 

And  O  extend  thine  influence  to  those  who  teach  the 
young  in  our  midst.  Give  them  wisdom  ;  and  may  they 
be  enabled  to  exert  more  power  upon  the  heart  and  con- 
science of  such  as  are  under  their  cliarge.  And  grant 
that  our  children  may  grow  up  from  the  beginning  of 
life,  loving  and  trusting  the  God  of  their  salvation.  Are 
there  any  among  us  who  are  imperiled  in  their  youth  ? 
O  thou,  that  art  a  covenant-keeping  God,  the  faithful 
one,  remember  their    parents,  and  the  vows  of   their 


MOURNIXG    BECAUSE    OF    WAR.  279 

parents,  and  tlie  prayers  offered  at  tlieir  dedication,  and 
the  frequent  supplications  offered  in  their  behalf.  For 
these  parents'  sake,  as  well  as  for  thine  own  sake,  succor 
their  imperiled  ones.  And  if  there  are  anv  that  have 
come  hither  from  Christian  families  in  distant  places, 
who  have  felt  in  our  midst  that  they  were  strangers  in  a 
strange  land,  may  they  feel  to-day  that  God  has  called 
them  here  for  a  blessing ;  may  they  put  their  trust  in 
their  fathers'  God;  may  tliey  resist  the  devil  that  he  may 
flee  from  them ;  and  may  ihey  be  girded  with  strength 
to  do  the  right  to  the  uttermost,  and  to  shun  that  which 
is  wrong. 

Revive  thy  work  in  our  hearts ;  make  us  more  diligent 
and  faithful  in  every  place  in  life ;  and  guide  us  through 
the  experiences  of  this  world.  And  when  our  course  is 
finished  here,  take  us  to  our  own  home,  where  our  apart- 
ments wait  for  us,  where  our  names  are  written,  v,dier6 
we  are  longed  for.  And  to  thy  name  shall  be  the  praise, 
Father,  Son  and  Spirit,  evermore.     Amen. 


CLOSINa  PEATEE. 

Our  Father,  wilt  thou  bless  the  word  spoken.  May  it  be  a  word  like 
seed  that  shall  come  up  more  than  it  has  sown,  and  may  we  search  and 
ponder  whether  these  things  be  so.  "VYe  commend  to  thee  our  own  selves, 
our  households,  our  children,  dear  to  us,  but  not  so  dear  to  us  as  to  thee. 
Wo  commend  to  thee  the  State  in  which  we  dwell,  its  cities,  towns,  insti- 
tutions, and  men,  "VVe  commend  to  the  nation  that  spreads  abroad  beyond 
all  the  outreachings  of  our  thought,  all  its  institutions  and  its  gradually 
unfolding  histories.  "We  commend  them  all  to  thee,  and  grant  that  we  may 
prove  ourselves  encouraged  in  simple  fidelity  to  duty,  in  unfeigned  manli- 
ness and  Christian  love,  worthy  of  the  time  in  which  we  live  and  the 
nation  which  has  given  us  birth.  Lead  on  this  people  tlirough  trials, 
yea,  even  through  faults  and  sins,  and  through  disasters  that  come  in  con- 
sequence ;  through  all  experiences  lead  them  forward  to  that  bright  con- 
summation when  they  shall  be  as  the  sword  of  the  Lord  brought  forth 
from  the  forge  and  furnace,  beaten  upon  the  anvil,  ground  upon  the  stone, 
and  made  sharp  and  bright,  flashing  vengeance  against  iniquity,  and 
advancing  for  justice  the  world  around,  and  to  thy  name  shall  be  the 
praise,  Father,  Son  and  Spirit,  evermore.     Amen. 


EASTER  SUNDAY 


Sunday  Morningy  March  27,  18G4, 

Thou  eternal  Father,  upon  tliis  name  we  hang  all  our 
hopes  ;  and  we  rejoice  that  yet  thou  shalt  make  the  world 
understand  what  is  the  greatness,  and  the  glory,  and  the 
grandeur  of  fidelity,  and  how  within  it  is  ensphered  not 
only  all  the  royalty  of  love,  but  the  majesty  of  justice 
Thou  wilt  yet  make  us  to  understand  what  is  the  true 
and  full  worship  of  love.  We  rejoice  that  thou  art  lifting 
the  world  step  by  step,  by  thine  own  power ;  and  though 
the  space  which  must  needs  be  passed  requires  ages,  w^e 
believe  that  thou  art  carrying  forward  the  work,  and 
that  the  earth  is  growing  toward  the  heavenly  state — 
toward  it,  though  it  is  yet  far  off.  We  believe  that  thou 
art  making  this  more  and  more  manifest,  and  that  thou 
art  employing  the  instrumentalities  of  men's  devices — 
that  thou  art  employing  all  organizations  of  every  kind. 
But  by  them  thou  art  bringing  men  back  to  the  original 
revelation  of  God  in  nature  ;  and  thou  art,  by  the  lives 
of  thy  holy  servants  of  old,  and  by  the  truths  that  were 
inspired  through  their  living,  and  revealed  to  us  through 
their  experience,  teaching  us  what  is  the  hidden  mean- 
ing of  the  creation  itself.  Thy  work  in  the  structure  of 
the  human  soul,  and  thy  government  that  is  established 
beyond  and  out  of  sight,  are  wrought  out,  here.     Here 


282  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

tHou  art  bringing  forth  the  stones  for  the  building;  here 
is  the  sound  of  the  hammer  and  the  chisel;  here  is  all 
confusion,  and  here  are  all  waste  and  noisome  things ; 
but  here  is  but  the  ground  where  thou  art  shaping. 
Yonder  is  where  thou  art  building ;  and  there  tliej  that 
stand  around  thee  behold  the  perfeetness  of  all  tlij  work 
which  thou  hast  had  in  hand  since  the  beginning  of  the 
world. 

We  rejoice,  O  God,  that  we  may  have  faith  when  we 
cannot  have  sight;  and  that  we  may  have  sure  confi- 
dence in  thee  and  in  thy  kingdom,  and  believe,  even 
against  sight,  that  it  is  growing,  and  taking  possession  of 
the  earth,  and  that  it  will  yet  so  cleanse  it  and  redeem  it 
that  the  heavens  shall  descend,  and  Christ  shall  reign 
again,  and  the  heavens  and  the  earth  shall  be  as  one. 
Bat  though  that  far-off  time  lures  our  thought,  and 
charms  our  vanity,  it  is  for  us  to  labor  in  this  sin-smitten 
earth,  that  groans  and  travails  in  pain  until  this  day. 
On  every  side  we  hear  the  groaning ;  but  how  little  in  the 
world  is  heard,  lifted  up  in  the  midst  of  storm  and  tumult, 
the  holy  joys,  the  rejoicings  of  thine  elect,  that  in  every 
part  of  the  earth  do,  day  by  day,  sing  forth  thy  praises  ! 
And  yet,  in  the  growing  storm,  the  voice  of  thy  witnesses 
still  gains  in  power.  And  year  by  year,  more  there  are 
tliat  join  it,  and  more  and  more  there  ai*e  voices  attuned 
to  the  divine  melody ;  and  yet,  one  day  shall  come  when 
the  voice  of  thy  ransomed  people  shall  outbrave  the 
storms  of  depravity  and  all  the  harsh,  discordant  sounds 
that  are  now  filling  the  earth,  and  there  shall  break 
forth  yet  triumphant  the  music  of  the  sweet  gospel  of 
Christ,  and  all  the  earth  shall  be  filled  with  it.  This 
world,  that  hath  swung  a  choir  of  sadness  and  of  sorrow, 
groaning  and  weeping,  shall  swing  around   about   the 


EASTER   SUNDAY.  283 

throne  of  God,  fall  of  blessed  sounds  of  gladness,  and 
with  music  fitting  tlie  high  estate  and  majesty  of  thy 
kingdom. 

O  Lord,  our  God,  thou,  thyself  invisible,  art  doing 
this  invisible  work.  Thou  that  dost  work  art  showing 
the  fruit  of  thy  skill  and  power,  and  yet  hiding  the 
instruments  of  thy  work.  And  we  beseech  of  thee  that 
thou  wilt  grant  to  every  one  of  us  more  and  more  joy 
of  faith  in  the  promised  participation  of  the  invisible 
kingdom  and  life.  Grant  that  we  may  follow  our  Mas- 
ter, nothing  doubting.  And  let  us  not  be  dissuaded  by 
reason  of  the  greatness  of  the  way,  nor  by  reason  of  our 
weakness.  And  if  we  stumble,  let  tliat  not  be  a  reason 
why  we  should  still  lie  where  we  fall.  May  we  lift  our- 
selves up  again  and  again.  Establish  our  goings.  If 
we  waver  to  the  rig] it  or  to  the  left,  O  thou  blessed 
Saviour,  graiit  that  v/e  may  be  recalled  to  tlie  straight 
and  the  narrow  path  again.  And  grant  that  none,  because 
of  the  wickedness  that  is  in  them,  because  of  the  deprav- 
ity vv^hich  they  feel,  because  of  their  shortcomings,  may 
cast  away  the  congdence  of  hope  which  hath  in  it  great 
reward. 

O  God,  may  we  by  faith,  by  penitence,  by  a  holy  and 
renewed  daily  consecration,  by  pleading  of  thy  promises, 
and  by  the  sweet  tests  and  experiences  of  thy  pardoning 
love,  more  and  more  earnestly  every  day,  seek  for  the 
welfare  of  our  souls,  and  for  the  establishment  of  thy 
kingdom.  May  we  love  thy  people.  May  we  be  joined 
to  them.  May  we  cast  our  lot  v/ith  theirs.  May  we  go 
with  them  to  bear  shame  and  abuse.  May  we  know 
nothing  so  dear  to  us  as  the  triumph  of  the  cause  of  God 
among  men.  And  where  justice,  and  humanity,  and 
truth,    and   purity,    and    righteousness   are,   there   may 


284  ueecher's  pulpit  DEVOTIOlSrS. 

we  seek  evermore  to  be,  not  daunted  by  the  scowl  of 
power,  not  seduced  by  the  attractions  and  flatteries  of 
men,  not  won  nor  bribed  by  any  of  tbe  promises  of 
riches — promises  broken  and  never  fulfilled.  Grant  that 
we  may  take  sides  with  thee,  even  in  times  of  weakness, 
in  times  of  discouragement,  in  times  of  shame.  May  we 
rejoice  to  suffer  with  Christ.  May  we  esteem  it  more 
than  all  the  treasures  of  Egypt.  And,  Lord  Jesus,  make 
us  worthy  to  suffer  for  thee,  and  make  us  worthy  to  have 
our  names  cast  out  for  rigliteousness'  sake. 

And  grant,  O  God,  that  there  may  be  more  and  more 
heroic  natures  growing  up  from  among  our  youth  ;  more 
and  more  that  shall  feel  that  the  body  is  but  the  instru- 
ment, and  not  the  end,  of  life,  and  that  the  world  is  but 
the  vehicle  and  the  way  towards  the  accomplishment  of 
the  true  purposes  of  life;  more  and  more  that  shall 
know  how  to  live  saintly  lives — lives  of  true  heroism. 
And,  we  beseech  thee,  that  thou  wilt  inspire  this  nation 
and  the  age  in  which  we  live.  Lift  up  all  nations  higher 
and  higher.  Cause  the  knowledge  of  thy  word  to  go 
from  land  to  land,  and  the  power  of  thy  truth  to  be 
experienced  in  lieart  and  in  conscience.  And  ma}'  all 
the  kins-doms  of  this  world  become  the  kins^doms  of  our 
Lord  and  Saviour,  Christ. 

Yf  e  thank  thee  that  thou  dost  grant  unto  thy  people 
days  of  benediction,  and  in  the  sacred  suggestions  and 
memorials  of  this  day,  that  celebrates,  in  the  usage  of  so 
many  thousands  of  thy  people,  the  glorious  shining  forth 
of  life  again  from  death ;  grant  that  we,  too,  may  have, 
amid  all  its  associations,  the  blessings  of  contemplation. 
And  grant  that  the  word  of  truth  on  this  day  may  do  us 
good.  May  we  have  resurrection.  May  our  hope  flame 
again  our  love  and  our  zeal.      Grant  that  we  may  to-day 


EASTER   SUNDAY.  285 

feel  that  we  have  left  in  the  grave  its  garments,  its  mor- 
tality, its  sins.  May  we  stand  on  the  thither  side  with 
blessed  spiritual  resurrection  of  purpose  and  hope  and 
love,  and  begin  to-day  with  renewed  seals  and  covenants 
the  higher  and  beatific  life. 

Are  there  any  that  mourn  the  hidings  of  thy  face  ? 
O,  thou  that  rose  out  of  the  very  sepulcher,  bringing 
light  to  the  world,  canst  thou  not,  out  of  the  heavenly 
glory,  bring  light  and  life  ?  Draw  near  to  any  that  are 
ready  to  perish,  whose  thoughts  chide  thy  delay.  O 
thou  Father,  find  thy  children  to-day,  and  speak  peace- 
able words  to  them.  Comfort  any  that  mourn  over  sin, 
and  may  their  mourning  do  them  good.  Sj)eak  forgive- 
ness to  any  that  scarcely  dare  to  look  into  thy  face,  and 
may  they  glance  there  to  behold  it,  not  as  the  darkness 
of  life,  but  as  the  glowing  morning,  full  of  hope  and 
promise.  And  grant,  we  beseech  thee,  that  thy  grace 
may  lead  all  hearts,  both  in  outward  trouble  and  in 
inward  afilictions.  Under  all  exercises  and  experiences 
may  thy  grace  lead  all  men  to  praise  thy  name,  to  cele- 
brate thy  goodness  to  others  ;  that  man  may  be  brought 
under  the  testimony  of  thy  people,  into  a  more  blessed 
attitude  of  life. 

Grant,  we  pray  thee,  our  Father,  as  one  and  another 
are  passing  away,  that  life  may  not  be  less  rich.  We 
thank  thee  that  the  dying  who  die  nobly  enrich  life  more 
than  they  impoverish  it.  Then,  when  they  are  dead, 
there  spring  up  a  thousand  powers  ;  and  being  dead, 
they  yet  speak.  We  cannot  mourn  them  that  depart 
who  do  not  go  out  in  darkness,  but  rather  rise  into  light 
unapproachable.  We  thank  thee  for  the  witness,  for  the 
example,  and  for  the  faithful  labors  of  so  many  as  are 
gone  and  are  going.     And  we  beseech  of  thee  that  there 


286  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

may  be  found  those  who  shall  be  worthy  to  follow  them, 
and  to  take  up  the  work  which  they  have  finished  in  their 
labor,  and  prosecute  it  to  higher  and  yet  more  glorious 
heights.  And  we  beseech  thee  that  thy  kingdom,  in 
which  dwelleth  righteousness,  may  at  last  override  all 
war,  all  suffering,  all  ignorance,  all  superstition,  and 
that  the  glory  of  the  Lord  may  fill  the  earth  as  the 
waters  fill  the  sea.  And  the  praise  shall  be  given  to  the 
Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Spirit.     Amen. 


MISSIONARY    OCCASION. 

Sunday  Evening^  1864. 


BEFORE   SERMON'. 

Thoij  hast  taught  us,  our  Father,  to  pray,  "  Let  thy 
kingdom  come,  and  thy  will  be  done  upon  earth  as  it  is  in 
heaven ;''  and  we  have  gazed  as  we  prayed,  and  learned 
to  long,  with  growing  desire,  for  the  fulfillment  of  this 
inspired  prayer.  And  generations  have  prayed  and  slept, 
and  others  have  taken  their  places,  still  desiring  and 
petitioning.  And  yet,  O  God,  behold,  the  earth  is  dark 
and  full  of  habitations  of  cruelty.  Behold  how  the  race 
are  scattered,  and  how  few  know  even  the  tAvilight,  and 
fewer  the  light  of  the  glory  of  God  as  it  shines  in  the 
face  of  Christ  Jesus.  And  yet  they  are  our  brethren. 
The  most  ignorant  and  the  most  besotted  ;  the  poor 
heathen  that  worship  idols,  which  their  own  hands  have 
made ;  and  those  that  follow,  gazing  and  wondering,  the 
stars,  to  worship  them  ;  and  those  that  mingle  their  devo- 
tion with  utter  cruelty ;  and  those  that  offer  their  pas- 
sions as  so  many  services  to  thee;  and  all  that  are  in 
gross  darkness,  are  they  not  still  of  our  human  kind  ? 
And  are  they  not  children  of  God?  And  are  they  not 
the  subjects  of  thy  promises,  and  of  thy  providences  ?  O 
Lord  God,  how  dost  thou,  with  infinite  compassion  and 
love,  such  as  710  man  can  have,  bear  to  look  forth  upon 


288  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

those  ever-growing  generations  that  make  no  progress  ? 
Thousands  of  years  have  come  and  gone,  and  they  are 
the  same.  O  Lord,  we  understand  not  the  mystery  of 
hmnan  life.  It  is  dark  and  trying  to  onr  faith.  But  we 
believe — help  our  unbelief;  we  know  that  thy  kingdom 
is  as  heaven,  and  it  increases  silently  and  secretly,  and  is 
advanced  beyond  what  we  suspect.  We  know  that  the 
130wer  of  Christ's  gospel  shall  be  felt  everywhere,  and 
that  there  is  a  silent  leavening  of  the  whole  world.  IIov/ 
long  sliall  these  preparatory  stages  be  required?  And 
when,  O  Lord,  shall  we  begin  to  see  the  clouds  rise,  and 
the  darkness  sweep  away,  and  the  sun  set  in  the  latter 
day.  We  desire  with  faith  and  with  patience  to  prepare 
ourselves  for  the  coming  of  the  Lord.  We  desire  still 
steadfastly  to  teach  and  to  spread  the  power  of  the  truth 
as  it  is  in  Jesus.  And  to  thee  v/e  commit  the  mystery 
of  human  life. 

Grant  that  every  one  of  us,  in  our  own  place,  may  let 
our  light  shine,  and  may  remember  that  we  are  the  salt 
of  the  earth,  by  which,  if  at  all,  it  is  to  be  kept  in  holi- 
ness. May  it  be  a  matter  of  conscience  and  of  daily  duty 
how  we  can  cast  the  most  saving  truth  into  the  ever- 
fermenting  public  mind,  aiid  how  most  we  can  so  bestow 
our  lives  that  they  shall  be  as  was  Christ's,  given  up  for 
the  people. 

We  pray  that  thou,  wilt  look  upon  onr  own  land.  We 
have  utter  trust  in  thee.  If  v/e  were  to  go  by  sight,  w^e 
should  fail.  There  is  no  measurement  that  we  can  take 
that  would  give  ns  consolation.  Our  trust  is  in  thee. 
Nor  are  we  turned  back  from  confidence  in  thee  because 
thy  way  is  mysterious.  It  has  ever  been  so.  The  mys- 
tery of  God  is  only  our  ignorance.  And  as  events  go 
forth,  we  behold  how  wise  are  the  things  that  are  the  most 


MISSIONARY    OCCASION.  289 

tlireatening,  and  how  strangely  our  fears  were  deceived. 
Grant,  we  pray  thee,  that  we  may  have  more  and  more 
unfaltering  trust  in  God.  May  we  cling  to  thee.  May 
we  purify  our  hearts  for  closer  communion  witli  thee. 
May  we  put  aside  every  weight,  and  let  every  sin  go 
that  easily  besets  us,  and  evermore  cling  to  the  simplicity 
of  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  and  become  more  just,  more 
true,  more  kind,  and  more  earnest  in  labor,  praying  in 
season  and  out  of  season  for  the  fulfillment  of  the  promises 
of  the  gospel. 

Grant,  we  beseech  thee,  O  God,  that  war  may  cease 
when  its  purposes  are  accomplished.  We  would  not  be 
impatient ;  we  see  the  fiery  bolts;  we  hear  the  sound  of' 
thunders ;  we  know  that  men  are  cast  down,  wounded, 
and  destroyed ;  we  turn  our  face  from  the  spectacle  ;  but, 
O  Lord,  we  believe  that  all  things  are  guided  by  thee, 
and  that  thou  ministerest  them  in  final  mercy.  Thou 
art  punishing  us.  Thou  art  persuading  the  people,  by 
by  the  strokes  and  chastisement  of  thine  hand,  to  give 
up  their  wickedness.  Thou  art  awakening  them  to  more 
sensibility  of  conscience.  Art  thou  not  preparing  this 
people  to  wear  the  robe  of  righteousness  ?  Art  thou  not 
raisina:  the  conscience  of  this  nation  hiHier  than  ever  it 
was  before,  that  thereupon  thou  mayest  build  a  truer 
spirituality  ?  Even  so.  Lord,  go  forth.  We  follow,  and 
implicitly  trust.  We  will  not  fear,  though  the  waves 
roar,  thougli  the  sea  is  darkened  by  storms,  though  the 
air  is  clouded.  Clouds  and  darkness  are  around  about 
thy  throne,  but  justice  and  judgment  are  the  habitations 
thereof 

Grant,  we  pray  thee,  thy  blessing  to  rest  upon  us  to- 
night, in  all  the  exercises  of  the  sanctuary,  in  singing 
thy  praise,  and  in  speaking  for  edification.     Make  ua 

13 


290  beecher's  ruLPiT  devotions. 

grateful  for  the  privileges  of  the  Sabbath.  It  Las  been 
rest  to  many  and  many  a  wearied  one.  Give  forth  to  all 
the  portion  yet  needed.  Fortify  every  one  by  spiritual 
truth  for  the  temptation  and  danger  of  the  coming  week. 
And  grant  that  we  may  be  educated  thus  from  week  to 
week,  until  at  last  our  labor  is  done,  onr  journey  is  over, 
our  sufferings  are  iinislied,  and  our  probation  is  ended ; 
and  then  mav  we  stand  in  Zion,  and  before  God.  And 
we  will  give  the  praise  of  our  salvation  to  the  Father, 
the  Son,  and  the  8i)irit.     Amen. 


DEATH  OF  LIXCOLK* 


BEFORIi  ADDRESS  BY  EEV.   DR.   STORRS. 

Almighty  God,  tliou  art  our  fathers'  God.  They 
trusted  in  thee,  and  were  not  pnt  to  shame.  In  times  of 
trouble  we  have  jn'oved  thee,  and  found  thy  promises 
yea  and  amen.  JSTone  that  put  their  trust  in  thee  in  a 
just  cause  shall  fail.  For,  though  "clouds  and  darkness 
are  round  about  thee,"  justice  and  judgment  are  the 
habitation  of  thy  throne.  And  we  rejoice  that  thou  art 
now  making  the  dark  cloiids  to  part.  We  see  the  bright 
shining  of  justice  between.  Yet  thonhast  reached  thine 
hand  forth,  and  plncked  from  the  highest  place  in  this 
nation,  and  from  the  highest  place  in  our  admiration  and 
affection,  thy  servant,  the  late  President  of  these  United 
States  ;  and  we  are  as  a  tree  whose  branch  the  storm  hath 
wrenched  off.  We  know  our  loss  ;  and  we  believe  that 
thy  providence  hath    chastisement  and   condemnation. 

Yet  thou  hast,  in  thy  wrath,  remembered  mercy. 
Thou  didst  ordain  him  to  be  thy  servant  of  justice.  Thou 
didst  temper  his  heart  to  integrity,  moderation,  and  love. 
In  a  stormy  time,  between  a  divided  people  with  strong- 
passions,  turbulent  and  deadly,  thou  didst  plant  him.  and 
to  the  end  maintain  in  him  temperance,  fortitude,  self- 
denial,  patience,  meekness,  gentleness,  justice,  and  love. 
And  thou  didst  accomplish  thy  work  by  him,  and  didst 

*  At  the  Academy  of  Music,  Brooklyn.  JTast  Day,  June  1,  1S65. 


292  beecuer's  pulpit  devotions. 

leave  his  name  an  lienor  and  a  glorj  to  this  people, 
shining  out  brighter  and  brighter  every  day  hitherward, 
and  yet  shining  out  bright  as  the  stars  thitherward. 

And  now,  O  Lord,  our  God,  thou  liast,  in  thy  provi- 
dence, by  the  voice  of  our  chief  magistrate,  convoked  us 
to-day,  that  we  might  re]3ent  before  God  of  our  sins,  con- 
fessing them ;  and  that  we  might  improve  this  day  as  a 
day  of  humiliation  and  prayer.  Youchsafe,  we  beseech 
thee,  to  this  great  nation,  a  profound  sense  of  their 
sinfulness.  Give  life  to  the  national  conscience;  give 
lionesty  to  this  people.  M;>y  they  sit  in  judgment  on 
their  past,  and  be  sterner  in  judgment  upon  themselves 
than  can  any  other  people  be  upon  them. 

AVe  confess  that  we  have  been  a  people  puffed  up  by 
prosperity.  We  have  been  made  aiTogant  by  our  strength. 
We  have  been  corrupted  by  the  readiness  and  abundance 
of  our  wealth.  And  those  favors  that  have  been  meant 
for  our  nourishing  we  have  prostituted  to  luxury,  and 
made  to  serve  as  instruments  for  our  degradation  unto 
selfishness.  Nay,  w^e  have  been  willing  to  employ  our 
strengtji  for  oppression ;  we  have  heeded  not  the  cry  of 
the  poor ; — we  have  contented  ourselves  with  securing 
our  own  exceeding  great  prosperity,  not  only  in  in- 
difference to  those  that  suffered,  but  in  contempt  of 
them. 

We  confess  the  sin  of  the  Christian  ministry,  and  of 
the  church.  They  have  not  been  faithful  to  the  trust 
committed  to  them.  They  have  not  stood  as  perpetual 
judges  and  condemners  of  wrong  in  the  midst  of  this 
people.  We  coni'ess  that  the  gospel  hath  had  its  light 
hidden.  We  confess  that  there  has  not  been  that  testi- 
mony which  there  should  have  been.  Nor  do  we  seek 
to  excuse  ourselves.     We  confess  that  the  North,  which 


DEAl^n    OF   LINCOLlSr.  293 

loved  liberty,  hatli  hidden  its  love  of  liberty,  loving  better 
other  things.  We,  too,  have  taken  gain  of  oppression, 
and  we,  too,  have  sought  quiet  at  the  sacrifice  of  prin- 
ciple ;  and  we  confess  that  in  these  thunderous  strokes 
and  dark  days  of  storm  we  are  receiving  punishment. 
For  we  have  been  guilty  concerning  our  brother.  The 
blood  that  cries  from  the  ground  cries  in  part  against  us  ; 
and  blood  hath  atoned  for  blood. 

]N"ow,  O  Lord,  our  God,  we  beseech  thee  that  thou 
wdlt  grant  that  this  whole  people  may  confess  their  sins. 
May  we  acknowdedge  that  we  have  been  false  to  the 
principles  of  our  government ;  false  to  the  truths  of  our 
faith ;  false  to  our  manhood,  to  our  Christianity,  to 
God  and  to  man  ;  and  may  we  understand  that  thou  hast 
been  angry  with  us,  though  now  thy  face  is  clearing 
aw^ay,  and  thou  art  tempering  judgment  with  mercy. 
Vie  desire  to  bo  penetrated  with  a  sense  of  our  deserving, 
and  desire  to  confess  that  our  judgments  have  been  fewer 
than  our  sins.  And  we  beseech  thee  that  we  may  be 
more  anxious  to  confess  our  own  sins  than  to  charge  their 
sins  upon  those  that  have  sinned  grievously.  And  w^e 
beseech  thee  that  the  time  past  may  be  sufficient.  May 
this  people,  out  of  the  judgments  through  which  they 
have  gone,  see  this  truth  of  God,  sublime  as  the  throne 
of  eternity,  that  God  loves  justice.  And  may  we  not 
se^ek  any  further  to  deceive.  Thou  art  not  mocked ; 
and  whatever  a  nation  sows,  that  shall  it  reap.  May  we 
not  seek  to  sow  inequalities,  and  injustice,  and  dominanco 
of  strength  over  weakness.  May  we  sow  righteousness, 
and  justice,  and  liberty,  and  truth  throughout  the  whole 
of  this  land,  and  may  they  spring  up  and  bring  forth 
fruit  an  hundredfold. 

Be  pleased  Iq  bless  the  President  of  these  United 


204  BEECIIEH'S    rULPIT   DEVOTTON-S. 

States,  and  all  that  in  authority  are  associated  with  him. 
Grant  that  his  mind  may  be  illumined  from  on  high. 
May  he  see  what  tilings  are  just  and  right ;  and  what 
things  are  merciful.  And  wilt  thou  give  him  such 
counsel  that  he  shall  ordain  judgment  and  mere}' ;  both 
of  them  in  the  fear  of  God,  both  of  them  in  accordance 
with  thy  Spirit. 

And  we  beseech  of  thee  that  thou  wilt  grant  tliy 
blessing  to  rest  on  the  army  and  navy  of  these  United 
States.  We  thank  thee  for  the  fidelity  of  our  men.  We 
thank  thee  that  so  many  live,  though  so  many  have 
afFiicted  our  hearts  in  death.  Be  pleased  to  bless  those 
that  are  wounded  and  maimed,  those  that  are  sick,  those 
that  are  among  strangers.  Grant,  we  beseech  thee,  that 
all  their  afflictions  may  be  blessed  to  them  spiritually  and 
temporally. 

Remember,  we  beseech  thee,  all  those  that  lately 
have  been  enslaved,  but  that  now  are  free.  We  thank 
thee  for  their  good  conduct.  Thou  hast  had  thoughts  of 
mercy  toward  them.  Wilt  thou  still,  in  thy  providence, 
ordain  industry,  and  honesty,  and  frugality  among  them. 
And  grant  that  tliey  may  prove  their  vrorthiness  to  be 
citizens,  and  be  established  immutably  on  the  ground  of 
citizenship. 

Ee  pleased,  we  beseech  thee,  to  bless  our  enemies. 
May  those  that  of  late  have  been  in  arms  against  us 
come  up  in  remembrance  before  thee.  How  great  are  their 
suflerings !  llow  great  have  been  the  desolations  of  war 
in  their  midst !  Lord,  may  their  mischiefs  be  repaired. 
Grant  that  their  prosperity  may  be  rebuilded  once  more. 
And  may  bretliren  begin  to  call  each  other  by  names  of 
love,  and  not  by  inimical  names.  And  grant  that  the 
hands  already  beginning  to  reach  across  the  wastes  of 


DEATH    OF    LIXCOLN.  295 

war  may  be  clasped  not  only  in  compact  of  friendsliip, 
but  in  the  fealty  of  justice  and  liberty.  And  grant  that 
tlie  whole  citizenship  of  this  great  nation,  now  reunited, 
may  never  be  severed  again.  May  this  great  y>8ople  be 
one;  with  no  mischief  in  their  bosom  ;  with  no  cause  of 
fermentation  ;  with  no  taint  or  tendency  to  decay.  May 
all  love  each  other,  because  ail  love  God  supremely.  May 
the  weak  be  strengthened  by  the  strong,  and  the  ignor- 
ant be  illumined  by  the  wise. 

And  may  all  mankind  come  up  in  remembrance  before 
tliee.  And  to-day  may  we  feel  the  bond  that  connects 
us  with  our  fellows  in  all  the  earth.  And  may  this 
nation,  strengthened,  repaired,  made  great,  be  great,  not 
for  rapine  and  selfishness,  but  for  justice  ;  and  may  the 
iniluence  which  it  exerts  among  the  nations  of  the  earth 
be  for  liberty,  and  truth,  and  purity.  And  may  all  men 
learn  to  love  this  people,  because  God  is  in  their  midst, 
and  they  are  clothed  with  the  beauty  of  holiness. 

And  now,  grant  thy  blessing  to  rest  upon  thy  servant, 
who  has  been  called  by  his  fellow-citizens  to  speak  in 
their  behalf  this  day.  Clothe  him  with  power.  Make 
his  words  miglity.  Grant  that  a  blessing  may  go  forth 
with  them,  and  that  they  m^ay  shake  down,  as  dew  from 
perfumed  shrubs,  joy  and  ]^rofit  upon  us. 

And  errant  tliat  throufjh  life  we  maA'  liave  thee  for  our 
God ;  and,  dying,  we  may  find  thee  near.  And,  when 
no  longer  we  can  see  thee,  may  we  reach  out  our  hands 
and  find  thee  leading  us  through  death  to  immortality 
and  glory.     For  Christ  Jesus'  sake.     Amen. 


CLOSING  PRAYER. 

Our  heavenly  Father,  wilt  thou  grant  a  blessing  to  rest  iipon  tlie  word 
spoken.  Grant  that  we  may  not  turn  away  from  tliy  truth,  nor  seek  to 
cast  it  from  us,  as  the  rain  is  cast  from  the  roof,  that  it  may  sink  into  the 
soil  and  disappear,  and  be  fruitless.  May  it  be  ours  tj  take  the  seed  into 
good  ground,  and  to  have  it  spring  up  and  bring  fortli  fruit  a  hundred- 
fold. Bless  us  in  the  remaining  houra  of  this  service.  Give  us  rest. 
Prepare  us  for  that  rest  which  remains  for  the  people  of  God.  And,  by 
thine  own  boundless  love  and  infinite  grace,  bring  us  thither,  and  then 
receive  our  praises,  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit    Amen. 


RESTORATION    OF    PEACE. 

Sunday  Morning,  October  22,  1865. 


BEFORE  SERMON. 

SmcE  thou  hast  been  pleased,  almighty  God,  to  pro- 
claim thyself  our  Father,  and  to  call  iis  thy  children,  we 
would  lay  aside  fear  ;  we  would  lay  aside  those  mysteri- 
ous dreads  of  guilt  which  lie  in  our  path  as  mists  to  chill 
and  to  hinder,  and  would  come  to  thee  in  full  hope. 
And  we  come  not  so  much  to  make  mention  of  our  ill- 
deserts  as  of  thy  goodness.  If  we  should  speak  our  own 
sense  of  goilt,  and  if  we  should  hold  argument  of  our 
wickedness  and  unworthiness,  how  sad  would  be  the 
offering  that  we  brought !  But  dost  thou  not  know  ? 
Art  thou  not  the  Physician  of  the  soul?  Are  we  sick  of 
heart,  not  before  thee  who  knoweth  us  more  perfectly 
than  we  know  ourselves  ?  And  why  should  we  again  and 
again  recite  in  thy  presence  our  manifold  transgressions  ? 
We  will  rather  make  mention  of  thy  name.  Thou  art 
glorious  above  all  that  are  on  earth  and  in  heaven. 
There  art  thou  whom  we  love  and  praise.  Thou  dost 
not  stand  as  an  idol  to  be  loved,  or  to  receive  praise ; 
but  thy  wonderful  action,  the  outflow  of  thine  end- 
less thought,  the  currents  of  love  and  sympathy  which 
go  forth  from  thine  heart,  the  stretching  out  of  thine 
hand  in  execution,  the  endless  works  of  beneficence 
which  thou  dost  perform,  thine  industry,  far  surpassing 

13* 


298  eeecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

the  reach  of  human  thought  or  computation,  thy  traiis- 
cendant  grace  and  majesty — these  inspire  the  hearts  of 
those  that  are  around  about  thee  with  noble  sympathy 
and  generous  enthusiasm.  And  they  are  workers  to- 
gether wdth  thee.  They  hibor  and  rejoice,  and  love,  and 
praise,  not  from  a  sense  of  duty,  but  because  their  over- 
flowing hearts  must  find  some  way  of  expression.  And 
thou  dost  lead  forth  thy  laborious  bands  in  eternal 
activities,  w^hich  bring  neither  weariness  nor  w^ant  of 
remission.  For  wdien  thou  shalt  have  cleansed  us  from 
the  body,  and  brought  us  into  our  pure  and  spiritual 
estate,  then  there  shall  be  no  night  and  no  sleep  ;  no 
hunger  and  no  need  of  food ;  no  toil  and  no  drudgery. 
Unwearied  we  shall  go  forth  in  all  the  rounds  of  duty 
and  tasks  of  joy  ;  for  ever  singing,  for  ever  rejoicing,  the 
partners  of  those  that  sing  and  rejoice  for  ever. 

To  this  high  estate,  and  to  this  blessedness,  we  aspire. 
And  though,  as  they  that  travel  in  the  wilderness,  catch 
and  lose  again  perpetually  the  objects  by  which  they 
guide  themselves,  w^e  at  times  see  before  us  that  toward 
which  we  are  pressing  forward,  and  at  times  lose  sight 
of;  yet,  by  faith  we  walk,  and  not  by  sight.  "We  believe 
that  thou  art  conducting  on  earth  a  government.  We 
believe  that  thou  art  calling  thine  own  elect,  that  they 
do  hear  thy  voice,  and  that  they  do  follow  after  thee. 
And  when  they  cannot  behold  thee,  w^hen  even  faith 
itself  is  dim,  we  believe  that  thou  knowest  how  to  draw 
them.  As  thy  disciples  could  not  disband,  nor  go  asun- 
der after  thy  death,  though,  notwithstanding  they  thought 
thee  gone  for  ever,  they  still  by  memory,  by  love,  by  a 
thousand  tender  associations,  were  clasped  one  to  another 
and  to  thy  sepulcher ;  so,  O  Lord  Jesus,  when  thou  art 
dead  to  us,  when  w^e  are  drifted  so  far  from  thv  heart 


RESTORATION    OF   PEACE.  29D 

that  we  cannot  behold  it,  when  we  have  lost  the  savor 
of  thy  love,  when  we  have  ceased  to  be  quickened  by 
the  Holy  Spirit,  when  we  have  cast  away  our  crown,  and 
the  fine  gold  thereof  has  become  dim,  still  thou  knowest 
how  to  hold  us.  And  though  there  be  but  a  thread  left, 
by  that  thread  how  many  souls  have  been  held  back  from 
their  wanderings  ! 

Now,  Lord,  we  beseech  thee,  look  with  grace  and 
benignity  upon  this  congregation.  How  many  are  there 
here  who  have  thanks  that  they  should  offer  to  thee. 
May  their  hearts  open,  and  may  they  exhale  gratitude 
to  heaven.  There  are  those  that  ought  to  make  mention 
of  wonderful  deliverances  which  thou  hast  wrought  for 
them,  or  for  others.  We  beseech  that  they  may  not 
withhold  the  tribute  which  is  thy  due.  How  many  are 
there  that  this  morning  are  reminded  of  vows  and 
promises  which  they  have  made  !  And  thou  hast  heard 
their  voice  of  outcry,  and  hast  performed  by  thy  provi- 
dence that  which  they  desired 

Wilt  thou  hear  them  that  draw  near  to  thank  thee  for 
those  who  have  been  restored  from  dans^erous  sickness  ? 
And,  we  beseech  thee,  hear  those  that  in  their  very  heart 
supplicate  thee  for  the  sick.  O  Lord,  thou  dost  know 
what  the  mourner's  moaning  is ;  and  though  thou  dost 
tarry,  the  sisters  shall  not  plead  in  vain.  Nor  are  they 
dead  that  seem  dead.  Thou  canst  by  thy  voice  and 
providence  call  them  forth  and  set  tliem  free.  We  be- 
seech of  thee,  that  thou  wilt  do  exceeding  abundantly 
more  than  any  ask  or  think. 

We  beseech  thee  that  tliou  wilt  bless  all  that  are  in 
our  midst  wlio  desire  to  know  more  of  thee  ;  and  while 
they  seek  thee  in  prayer  and  meditation,  may  they  go 
where  thou  hast  so  often  been  on  earth — among  the  poor 


300  BEECHEll's   PULPIT   DEVOTIONS. 

and  needy.  There  reveal  thyself  to  those  who  seek  thee 
in  works  of  mercy  and  charity.  Open  the  hearts  of  those 
that  are  enlightened  and  educated,  toward  those  that  are 
groveling  in  ignorance.  And  take  away  from  us  the 
remains  of  the  old  man  ;  of  hardness  and  pride ;-  of  that 
spirit  of  hatred  which  divides  man  from  man.  And  since 
life  is  short — even  but  a  hand's  breadth — and  we  are 
hastening  through  it,  all  of  us  living  together,  breathing 
the  same  air,  lighted  by  the  same  sun,  spared  by  the 
same  mercy,  redeemed  by  the  same  Saviour,  and  loved 
by  the  same  God,  grant  that  we  may  look  upon  one 
another  as  brethren.  Though  divided  in  estate,  though 
difierent  in  lot,  though  separated  in  endless  ways 
one  from  another,  still  may  we  find  in  Christ,  and 
in  the  hope  of  immortality,  a  bond  of  union  and  sym- 
pathy, that  shall  bind  us  in  one  brotherhood,  the  world 
over. 

We  pray  that  thou  wilt  bless  our  land.  Thou  hast 
blessed  it.  How  shall  we  ever  return  the  thanks  due  to 
thee?  When  the  foundations  were  removed,  and  the 
heaven  and  tlie  earth  conspired  to  destroy  us,  thou  in 
the  midst  of  the  waves  wert  King  sitting  on  the  flood. 
And  now  thou  hast  commanded  it  to  peace,  and  the 
winds  have  gone  down,  and  the  black  and  roaring  tides 
are  known  no  more.  Forbid  that  we  should  forget  the 
mighty  debt  that  we  owe.  We  humble  ourselves  before 
thee.     We  wonder  at  and  adore  thy  goodness. 

And  since  thou  hast  caused  peace  to  come  again  in  all 
our  land ;  since  our  arms  are  laid  aside,  and  our  great 
armies  are  disbanded.  Lord  God  remember,  we  pray  thee, 
all  that  sufier.  Those  that  are  sick,  and  those  that  are 
wounded — may  they  not  be  forgotten.  May  they  in 
peace  find  that  the  memory  and  the  gratitude  of  those 


RESTORATION    OF   PEACE.  301 

about  them  are  greater  than  they  have  been  wont  to 
believe. 

We  pray  that  thou  wilt  bless  those  that  institute  and 
lead  on  enterprises  of  instruction  and  succor.  Remem- 
ber those  that  were  late  in  slavery,  but  now  have 
come  forth  with  multiplied  labor-pains  into  the  new  birth 
of  liberty.  And  grant,  whatever  they  may  suffer,  that 
by  suffering  patiently  borne,  under  the  guidance  of  thy 
providence,  they  may  attain  to  their  perfect  and  full 
citizenship. 

And  grant,  we  pray  thee,  a  blessing  to  rest  upon  those 
who  lately  were  our  enemies,  but  who  now  are  our 
brethren  again.  More  and  more  teach  us  to  love  them 
as  brethren,  and  to  forget  their  wrongs  and  infelicities. 
May  we  learn  to  put  ourselves  in  their  places,  and  ask 
ourselves  whether,  if  we  had  been  tempted  as  they  were, 
we  would  have  done  better  than  they  have  done.  And 
may  we  be  more  ready  to  forgive  than  to  demand  strict 
justice.  And  grant,  we  pray  thee,  O  Lord,  that  there 
may  be  a  firmer  concord,  a  growing  respect,  and  the  in- 
terchange of  offices  of  reciprocal  love  and  confidence. 
And  grant  that  this  great  nation  maybe  banded  together 
again.  I^ow,  its  sins  cleansed  away,  its  iniquities  taken 
from  it,  may  we  begin  that  glorious  progress  which  shall 
culminate  in  a  conscience  purified  by  a  true  Christianity. 
And  may  we  not  be  strong  for  rapine,  or  for  avarice,  or 
for  ambition,  or  for  godless  rule  over  the  weak.  May  it 
be  ours  to  raise  men,  to  prea(;h  the  gospel  to  them,  and 
to  send  abroad  to  the  ends  of  the  earth  that  civilization 
which  Christ  inspires. 

Wilt  tliou,  O  God,  remember  our  rulers.  Be  with  the 
President  of  these  United  States,  whom  thou  hast  called 
in  a  troublous  time  to  great  and  onerous  duties.     Thou 


302  beecher's  pclpit  detotions. 

hast  led  him,  and  art  leading  him,  as  thou  didst  him  that 
went  before.  And  we  beseech  of  thee  that  thou  wilt  still 
be  his  God;  and  may  he  be  guided  by  that  wisdom 
w^hich  descends  from  above ;  and  may  he  seek  those 
tilings  which  make  for  peace  and  concord.  Strengthen 
his  hands  and  heart.  And  grant  that  those  who  counsel 
hitii  may  be  pure  men.  May  the  legislatures  of  the 
States  that  assemble,  and  the  N^ational  Legislature  be 
imbued  with  the  Spirit  of  God.  May  thy  spirit  dwell 
in  the  midst  of  this  people.  Thou  hast  done  great  things 
for  it.  Thou  hast  opened  a  way  for  us  when  we  knew 
not  what  course  to  pursue.  When  all  was  dark,  and  it 
seemed  as  though  midnight  had  settled  for  ever  upon  us, 
thou  didst  send  us  light.  And  thou  that  hast  done  such 
wondrous  works  in  times  past,  shalt  not  sleep  nor  forget. 
Thou  wilt  yet  be  our  leader  in  our  troubles.  And  we 
will  overcome  them  all  by  faith  and  holy  trust  in  God, 
who  shall  carry  us  through  to  the  end  of  our  lives,  and 
then  receive  us  home  to  glory.  We  ask  it  for  Christ's 
sake      Amen. 


J 


BAPTISMAL    SERVICE. 

Sabbath  JTorning,  May  14,  1865. 


BEFORC    SERMOX. 


Into  the  bosom  of  tlij  love,  O  thou  eternal  Father, 
from  whom  we  have  learned  to  love,  from  whom  we  have 
borrowed  parentage  itself,  we  bring  back  our  children, 
and  are  glad  to  hear  thee  say,  "  Suffer  them  to  come 
unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not."  For  these  are  the  least 
things  that  there  are,  and  the  most  helpless.  And  glo- 
riously do  we  understand  the  nature  of  all  loving  in  thee, 
when  thou,  the  highest,  and  the  mightiest,  dost  conde- 
scend to  think  of  and  to  embrace  in  thy  providence  and 
thy  grace,  these  our  offspring.  "We  rejoice  that  they  are 
not  left  alone  to  our  ministra-tion,  nor  to  those  laws 
which,  in  their  nascent  life,  struggle  feebly  for  them. 
There  is  above  all  thought  the  Father  of  thought ;  and 
there  is  above  all  law  the  Father  of  law  ;  and  to  thy 
sovereign  care  we  commit  our  children,  rejoicing  that 
now  with  thy  promises,  thy  sympathy,  and  thy  help,  we 
are  stronger,  and  wiser,  and  more  hopeful.  We  are  able 
courageously  to  look  upon  the  world  in  which  they  must 
live,  with  all  its  temptations,  with  all  its  needful  strug- 
gles, and  the  great  cloud  of  its  sorrows,  and  the  storms 
that  beat  upon  so  many  ;  and  we  commend  to  thee  our 
children  as  they  come,  step  by  step,  into  the  experiences 


304  BEECHEIl's    PULPIT   DEVOTIOITS. 

which  we  have  had,  and  they  must  have,  with  a  confi- 
dence firm  as  thy  word.  Thou  wilt  take  care  of  them, 
for  thou  hast  the  argument  of  care  in  thine  own  soul — 
thou  dost  love  them. 

And  be  pleased,  Almighty  God,  to  bless  the  parents 
that  have  brought  hither  their  children  to-day.  Let  it 
not  be  an  unmeaning  ceremony  in  which  they  have  en- 
gaged. May  they  understand  that  they  have  covenanted 
with  God  and  with  their  brethren  here,  as  have  these 
brethren  with  them,  to  rear  these  children  in  the  knowl- 
edge and  in  the  spirit  of  Christ.  Grant  that  they  may 
be  able  to  set  apart  and  understand  the  true  life  of  Christ 
in  distinction  from  that  of  the  world ;  and  may  they  be 
able  not  only  to  inspire  these  children  with  knowledge, 
but  from  the  very  morning  of  their  life,  to  train  them  so 
that  their  first  dispositions  shall  be  Christian  dispositions, 
and  their  earlier  aspirations  shall  be  toward  Christ,  and 
things  of  truth  and  purity  ;  and  teach  them,  when  older, 
to  come  back  with  their  conscience  and  faith  and  over- 
come the  realm  of  wickedness  in  them,  as  well  as  to  set 
themselves  victoriously  against  that  which  is  evil  in  the 
world. 

And  grant,  we  beseech  thee,  that  this  solemn  scene 
may  not  die  from  the  memory  of  these  parents,  and  when 
these  children  grow  up,  may  they  accept  this  consecra- 
tion, and  ratify  it ;  and  may  they  themselves  go  forward 
in  that  Christian  life  for  which  these  parents  stand  spon- 
sors. Grant  a  blessing  to  rest  upon  all  the  parents  that 
are  here,  whose  hearts  are  drawn  out  toward  these  sweet 
little  ones.  Remeinl)er  those  who  have  their  dear  ones 
with  them  still ;  and  also  those  who  search  in  sad  memo- 
ries for  dear  ones  that  are  no  longer  with  them,  because 
God  has  taken  them.     Give  them  consolation  for  their 


BAPTISMAL   SERVICE.  305 

departed.  Give  them  more  hope  and  comfort.  And  if 
there  are  any  whose  hearts  are  as  an  open  grave  to-day, 
be  pleased,  O  God,  that  didst  show  angels  to  those  that 
saw  angels  in  the  grave,  to  show  angels  to  them.  May 
they  not  mourn  as  those  that  have  no  hope,  but  may 
they  be  strengthened  and  comforted  in  their  sorrow,  and 
made  wiser  and  purer  and  holier  thereby. 

And  may  all  of  ns  that  hold  our  treasures  of  heart  by 
BO  frail  a  tenure,  which  may  give  way  in  a  day  or  an 
hour,  and  bankrupt  us  in  home  and  in  heart,  so  accustom 
ourselves,  day  by  day,  to  view  things  as  they  are,  that 
we  shall  be  beyond  the  reach  of  surprise,  though  death 
should  come  at  any  time ;  though  husband,  or  wife,  or 
child,  or  friend,  or  brother,  or  sister,  or  all  of  them,  should 
be  taken  from  us.  Grant  that  we  may  know  that  heaven 
is  above  us,  that  God  waits  there  for  us,  that  the  earth  is 
the  Lord's  and  the  fullness  thereof;  and  that  neither 
time  nor  chance  can  befall  any,  except  by  thy  permission. 
Grant  that  in  the  midst  of  trouble  we  may  be  steadfast 
and  immovable,  trusting  in  God,  as  other  tilings  fade 
and  fail  and  pass  away,  with  an  immutable  trust.  And 
so  may  our  hearts  be  fixed,  no  more  fluctuating,  no  more 
changing,  as  the  tickle  cloud. 

Grant,  we  beseech  thee,  thy  blessing  to  rest  upon  all 
who  are  gathered  together  for  worship.  Accept  the 
vows  of  those  that  have  come  to  enter  into  covenant 
with  God.  Accept  the  thanksgiving  of  hearts  that  this 
morning  are  laden  with  gratitude.  O  Lord,  how  much 
have  we  to  be  thankful  for !  How  many  of  us  have  great 
joys  unutterable !  Thou  hast  caused  the  storm  to  pass 
away.  Its  bolts  are  sped,  and  they  that  must  fall,  have 
fallen.  And  how  many  of  us  receive  back  again  our 
children  that  have  been  set  apart  unto  death.     They 


306  beecher's  pulpit  devotions. 

were  sealed  and  stamped  with  covenant  consecration, 
but  thou  hast  been  pleased  to  find  otherwhere  a  victim, 
and  they  are  loosed  and  are  coming  home  again.  And 
to  how  many  households  is  it  more  than  to  the  harp  is 
the  touch  of  the  harper's  hand.  And  how  many  hearts 
there  are  that  shall  not  know  how  to  speak  their  thanks- 
giving and  their  gratitude.  For  the  sorrow  wliicli 
thou  hast  caused,  we  thank  thee.  And  now,  since  tlie 
rain  is  over  and  gone,  and  the  sun  shines  again,  we  thank 
thee  for  the  joys  that  thou  hast  sent  us.  And  our  prayer 
is  that  both  joy  and  sorrow  may  be  sanctified,  and  that 
this  great  people  may  be  made  more  humble,  more  pure, 
more  just,  and  more  true,  by  the  dealings  with  them  of 
God  in  providence. 

We  beseech  thee,  O  Lord,  our  God,  that  thou  wilt  be 
very  near  to  those  that  are  sick  ;  to  those  that  are  in 
prisons ;  to  those  that  are  maimed ;  to  those  that  seek  or 
find  their  homes  only  a^  a  quiet  place  to  die  in.  Lift 
upon  them  the  light  of  thy  countenance,  and  give  to 
them  all  the  joy  of  thy  salvation. 

Thou  hast  been  pleased  to  afflict  this  people  by  taking 
away  the  head  and  father  there.  >f."  We  thank  thee  for 
his  example.  We  thank  thee  for  the  savor  of  that  name 
which  shall  be  a  blessing  to  our  children,  and  to  our 
children's  children.  We  have  saved,  and  put  into  the 
calendar  of  influence  another  power  that  shall  teach  men 
manliness  and  purity.  We  thank  thee  for  that  guidance 
of  thy  spirit  and  thy  providence  which  made  him  to  us 
what  he  hath  been,  and  what  he  shall  bo. 

We  thank  thee,  O  God,  that  thou  art  still  further 
exhibiting  thy  ways  of  mercy.     How  utterly  hast  thou 

*  President  Lincoln. 


BAPTISMAL   SERVICE.  307 

overthrown  rebellion !  How  utterly  hast  thou  marked 
the  guilt  and  wickedness  thereof !  And  one  and  another 
of  those  that  have  borne  high  part  in  infamous  wrong, 
thou  hast  brought  low,  and  art  holding.  And,  O  Lord, 
our  God,  grant  that  we  may  remember  that  in  enume- 
rating thine  attributes  to  us,  thou  hast  declared  that 
vengeance  is  thine,  and  that  thou  wilt  repay.  And 
grant,  we  beseech  of  thee,  that  we  may  seek  justice  in  a 
frame  of  mind  that  shall  befit  the  seeking  thereof.  And 
let  us  not  stumble  on  passion,  and  call  that  justice  ;  nor 
upon  hate,  and  call  that  justice ;  nor  upon  wicked  feel- 
ings of  any  kind,  and  call  them  justice.  May  we  listen 
to  the  voice  of  God,  and  with  a  heart  of  love  and  mercv, 
receive  the  intimations  of  justice,  that  then  it  may  be 
executed  purely  and  truly. 

Lord,  we  beseech  thee,  that  thou  wilt  be  pleased  to 
grant  thy  blessing  upon  all  that  part  of  our  land  which 
has  been  ravaged  or  despoiled.  We  cannot  ask  that  suf- 
fering shall  not  do  its  mission  ;  but  we  pray  that  suffer- 
ing may  be  remedial,  and  not  destructive.  Build  up  the 
waste  places  ;  turn  the  hearts  of  those  that  are  dissevered 
to  each  other  again.  Inspire  industry.  Grant  that  with 
increasing  prosperity  and  allegiance,  fidelity  may  have 
a  new  birth,  and  that  there  may  spring  up  a  better  Chris- 
tianity and  a  truer  patriotism  than  was  ever  knovvn  there 
before.  And  may  this  land,  reunited,  sit  at  the  feet  of 
Jesus,  speaking  thy  praise,  acknowledging  thine  author- 
ity, and  speeding  thine  errands  in  all  the  earth. 

Bring  in  Jew  and  Gentile.  Bring  in  those  that  are 
lost,  and  those  that  are  in  darkness  and  have  wandered 
out  of  the  way ;  and  make  manifest  thy  right  hand  and 
thy  power,  which  yet  shall  govern  all  the  earth. 

Hear  us,  we   beseech  thee,  in   these   our    petitions. 


308  beecher's  pulpit  devotioxs. 

Answer  ns,  not  for  our  mucli  speaking,  but  for  thine  own 
name's  sake.  And  to  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy 
Ghost,  shall  be  praises  evermore.     Amen. 


CLOSING  PRAYER. 

Be  pleased,  Almighty  God,  to  draw  us  by  thino  own  persuasion,  and  to 
help  our  imperfect  arguments  with  ourselves,  that  we  may  be  able  to 
come  toward  thee — yea,  to  enter  into  tliat  tabernacle  which  thou  hast 
builded  for  us — and  find  rest.  Thou  hast  promised  to  hide  thy  people  in  thy 
pavihon.  Thou  art  our  tower,  and  from  the  face  of  our  enemies  we  run 
in  and  are  safe.  Thou  art  the  shadow  of  a  rock  in  a  weary  land.  We 
cool  ourselves  from  the  untempered  sun  beneath  thy  sweet  shade.  0 
Lord  Jesus,  tliou  art  our  garment,  and  we  put  thee  on.  Tliou  art  our  life, 
and  we  desire  to  enter  into  thee  that  we  may  find  ourselves.  Our  life  is 
Md  with  Christ  in  God. 

And  now  we  pray  that  thou  wilt  bless  the  word  of  exhortation  to  each 
one  of  us.  May  it  quicken  our  failh.  May  it  encourage  us  in  the  divine 
life.  Take  us  by  the  hand,  for  we  are  orphans,  and  we  need  a  guide,  and 
thou  art  that  One  whom  our  soul  elects  and  desires.  And  at  last,  after 
tlie  scenes  of  this  turbulent  life  are  over,  bring  us  to  that  rest  which 
remains  for  the  people  of  God.  And  to  thy  name  shall  be  the  praise, 
Father,  Son,  and  Spirit.     Amen. 


BAPTISM   OF  THE  WHITE  SLAVE. 


Sunday  Morning,  May  10,  18G3. 

INVOCATION-. 

Thou  eternal  God,  grant  nnto  us  that  life  which  shall  stir  the  sources 
of  life  in  us.  Shine  upon  us,  that  we  may  reflect  something  of  thy  glory. 
Speak  to  our  thoughts  and  to  our  feelings  that  slumber,  that  they  may 
know  that  this  is  the  Lord's  morning;  and,  as  Christ  arose,  may  all  Christ- 
like things  in  us  arise  with  blessed  sympathy.  May  we  aspire  to  the 
full  rejoicing  of  sonship  this  day,  made  thine  by  redemptive  love.  Grant 
that  we  may  be  able  to  take  hold  of  thy  feet,  to  look  adoringly  in  thy  face, 
to  speak  with  thee  as  children  with  a  parent,  and  to  hear  what  thou 
sayest  to  us  from  out  of  thy  holy  word.  And  if  our  hearts  are  kindled, 
give  us  u'terance  in  sacred  songs  and  hymning  on  earth,  that  we  may  join 
the  choral  services  in  heaven.  And  may  every  part  of  our  worship 
enrich  us  and  honor  thee.     We  ask  it  for  Christ's  sake.     Amen. 

BEFORE   SERMON. 

O  Lord,  our  God,  tliou  that  belioldest  tlie  earth,  and 
all  its  secrets,  we  wonder  and  adore  at  that  lono:-snffermo; 
and  patience  with  which  thou  hast  nourished  it,  cherish- 
ing the  good  that  it  might  spread  abroad  its  branches 
and  fill  the  earth.  When  we  behold  iniquity  in  such 
aspects  as  bring  it  within  our  sympatliy  and  raise  against 
it  all  t]ie  forces  of  our  spiritual  nature,  we  are  full  of 
feelings  of  impatience  that  seek  to  destroy  with  thunder- 
bolts of  wrath.  We  marvel  at  that  wondrous  patience 
of  the  divine  love  that,  abhorring  evil  with  infinite 
grace,  more  than  is  possible  to  us,  prolongs  tlie  day  of 


310.  BEECHEli's   PULPIT  DEVOTIONS. 

grace  and  overtures  of  mercy,  and  by  other  rejected  and 
long  refused  metliods,  seeks  salvation  for  ruined  men. 
O  teacli  us  to  hate  evil  somewhat  as  thou  dost.  O  teach 
lis  so  to  love  while  hating  evil,  as  to  follow  in  the  foot- 
steps of  our  Saviour,  and  be  patient  with  evil-doerSj 
seeking  by  all  methods  to  restore  them.  God  of  all  grace, 
cleanse  our  hearts  from  evil  thoughts  and  from  evil  feel- 
ings ;  from  all  those  passions  which  in  other  men  run 
riot,  and  which,  if  the  banks  and  dikes  of  thy  providence 
and  grace  were  cast  down  would  overflow  our  souls  and 
destroy  our  lives.  O  be  pleased  to  teach  us  humility,  and 
meekness,  and  gentleness,  and  love  that  waits  long,  that 
suffers  long,  and  is  kind. 

We  beseech  of  thee,  O  Lord,  that  thou  wilt  grant  ns 
so  to  rear  our  offspring  that  they,  from  the  morning  of 
life,  shall  have  the  divine  art  of  restraining  tempestuous 
feelings  and  passions,  and  that  they  shall  grow  up  into 
the  sweetness  and  majesty  of  divine  love. 

Bless  those  dear  children  whose  parents  have  presented 
them  before  this  congregation  for  holy  consecration  in 
baptism.  Grant  that  their  lives  may  be  precious.  Grant 
that  they  may  grow  up  to  cheer  and  comfort  their  parents. 
And  as  they  educate  them,  may  they  consciously  be  led 
of  God  into  all  truth,  and  into  all  Christian  feelings. 

We  pray  that  thou  wilt  grant  thy  blessing  to  rest  upon 
all  those  that  aforetime  have  been  oiYered  up  in  baptism 
here.  As  they,  many  of  them,  are  growing  to  years  of 
discretion,  may  they  answer  to  the  covenants  and  wishes 
of  their  parents.  Trained  by  the  influence  of  thy  good 
Spirit,  may  they  become  wise,  and  give  evidence  before 
men,  by  a  godly  walk  and  conversation,  of  the  truth 
of  Christ  in  them,  the  hope  of  glory. 

Be    pleased,  Almighty  God,  to  remember   that  dear 


BAPTISM    OF   THE    WHITE    SLAVE.  311 

e"hild'^  tliat  Lath  been  under  such  strange  circumstances 
brought  hither  to-day,  redeemed  from  bondage,  plucked 
as  a  brand  from  the  burning,  and  now  solemnly  conse- 
crated by  its  adopted  mother  as  a  Christian  child, 
restored  at  last  to  the  human  race,  and  born  again  into 
human  rights.  O  be  pleased  to  grant  that  its  life  may 
be  spared,  and  that  it  may  be  taught  how  great  is  that 
goodness  of  God  which  has  been  displayed  toward  it. 
And  may  it  grow  up  in  maturer  years  to  teach  and  to 
rescue  its  own  sisters  from  the  des^radation  and  bondasje 
of  ignorance,  from  the  ways  of  passion,  and  from  all 
things  that  are  evil. 

Bless  thine  handmaid  whom  thou  hast  privileged  to 
take  this  child  from  Egyjitt,  and  bring  it  hither  to  the  land 
of  promise.  Grant  that  her  years  may  be  spared,  and 
that  she  may  be  prospered  in  this  labor  of  love ;  and  as 
she  is  watering  thine  own  branch,  let  heavenly  dews  fall 
on  lier,  that  she  may  reap  her  reward  day  by  day  as  she 
goes  to  the  heavenly  land. 

And  grant  that  all  who  have  beheld  this  wondrous 
scene  to-day  may  have,  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  written  in- 
visibly in  their  souls,  a  horror  and  a  hatred  of  oppression 
and  wrong  which  thus  grind  the  people  of  God  and  his 
little  ones.  O  Lord  Jesus,  what  art  thou  doing  ?  How 
many  parents  there  are  who  would  fain  bring  their  chil- 
dren to  thee,  but  who  dare  not  bring  them  !  How  many 
thousands  shed  tears  of  sorrow  because  they  are  not  per- 
mitted to  worship  thee  according  to  the  desire  of  their 
hearts  !  How  many  prayers  go  up  to  thee  at  night  and 
by  stealth  !  And  yet  thy  decrees  seem  immutable,  and 
no  mercy  appears  for  them.  Art  thou  not,  O  God, 
coming  for  the  salvation  of  this  whole  people  ?     Art  thou 

*  A  little  white  girl,  that  had  recently  been  a  slave. 


312  beechek's  pulpit  devotioxs. 

not  preparing,  by  tlie  stern  blows  of  battle,  to  beat  down 
the  doors  of  oppression,  and  to  raze  the  foundations  of 
it  even  to  the  ground  ?  Even  so,  Lord  Jesus,  come 
quickly. 

And  bless,  while  thou  dost  tarry,  thy  servants,  and 
those  that  are  saints  before  God  in  oppression — the  aged, 
that  have  prayed  long  and  fainted  not,  tliose  who  are  in 
the  midst  of  a  pure  life,  and  the  young  who  aspire  to 
goodness  according  to  the  twilight  of  knowledge  which 
they  receive.  While  we  are  preaching  the  gospel  to  re- 
mote nations  of  the  earth,  O  that  there  might  be  a  heart 
given  to  us  to  bear  the  tidings  of  salvation  and  the 
fullness  of  its  meaning  to  those  that  are  in  bondage  and 
heathenism  in  our  own  land. 

And  we  pray  that  thou  wilt  break  all  bonds  throughout 
the  world,  and  hasten  that  glorious  day  of  prediction 
when  from  the  rising  of  the  sun  to  the  going  down  of  the 
same  there  shall  be  only  justice,  and  truth,  and  liberty, 
and  peace  ;  when  every  man  shall  sit  under  his  own  vine 
and  under  his  own  fig-tree,  and  the  earth  sliall  be  filled 
with  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  as  the  waters  fill  the  sea. 
We  ask  these  things  in  the  adorable  name  of  Jesus,  to 
whom,  with  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  shall  be 
praises  everlasting.     Amen. 


YOUTHFUL    ACCESSIONS. 

Sunday  Morning,  March  T,  1866. 


INVOCATION. 

Lift  upon  us  the  light  of  thy  countenance,  0  Lord  our  God ;  and  as 
thou  art  making  the  sun  to  shine  forth  this  day  to  illumine  the  earth,  so, 
Sun  of  righteousness,  bring  day  and  brightness  to  us.  May  we  leave  the 
Bordid  cares,  and  the  troubles,  and  the  fears  of  the  week,  its  burdens  and 
griefs,  behind  us;  and,  emancipated,  may  we  walk  into  thy  sanctuary 
this  morning  as  the  sons  of  God  in  their  Father's  house.  And  vouchsafe 
to  us  that  meeting  of  the  soul  with  thee  that  shall  assure  us  of  thy  pres- 
ence, and  of  thy  welcome.  Bless  the  reading  of  thy  Word.  Bless  our 
endeavors  to  draw  instruction  from  it.  Bless  us,  we  beseech  thee,  in 
singing,  in  prayer,  in  meditation,  and  in  all  the  rejoicing  services  of  the 
sanctuary,  and  of  the  day.     We  ask  it  for  Christ's  sake.     Amen. 

BEFORE  SERMON. 

Blessed  be  thy  name,  O  God,  that  there  is  a  new  and 
living  way  opened  up  for  us  in  Christ  Jesus  between  the 
spiritual  and  invisible  world  and  this  mortal  and  visible 
one.  The  way  is  obscure,  and  our  wandering  thoughts 
are  bewildered  and  lost  as  we  seek  to  find  it.  So  far  it 
seems  so  different  from  our  accustomed  senses,  so  strange 
and  intangible,  that  doubts  and  fears  roll  over  us  like 
billows.  But  when  thou  art  presented  in  Jesus  our 
Master,  when  we  behold  the  heart  of  God  radiant  with 
love,  and  hear  thee  call  us  thy  children,  and  thy  breth- 
ren, and  thy  friends,  and  know  that  all  power  that  cen- 
ters in  the  eternity  of  the  universe  is  wielded  by  wisdom 

14 


S14  BEECIIEk's   pulpit   DEV0TI0N3. 

for  mercy  and  for  love,  we  feel  tliat  we  have  found  a 
way,  and  no  longer  do  our  poor  thoughts  stumble  over 
the  stony  wilderness.  >Tow  in  Jesus  Christ  we  find  our 
God,  and  we  come  boldly  to  the  throne  of  mercy. 

O  Lord,  we  rejoice  in  this  way  of  approach  to  thee.; 
and  we  thank  thee  that  thou  dost  manifest  thyself  to 
those  that  seek  thee  and  find  thee  in  a  way  that  thou 
dost  not  to  the  world ;  by  evidence  such  as  we  cannot 
have  in  worldly  things;  by  our  own  consciousness;  by 
the  up-springing  of  the  feelings  of  the  heart ;  by  that 
/iOve  in  us  which  calls  out  to  the  love  which  is  in  thee, 
and  by  which  we  say  "  Abba,  Father."  We  bless  thee, 
that  thou  dost  shine  into  the  soul,  and  grant  unto  thy 
people  a  witness  of  thy  presence,  and  fill  them  with  joy 
unspeakable.  We  rejoice  that  thou  dost  teach  them  that 
thou  art,  and  that  thou  art  a  rewarder  of  those  that  dili- 
gently seek  thee.  And  we  thank  thee  that  there  are  so 
many  that  are  seeking  thee ;  that  there  are  so  many  that 
in  silent  thoughts  are  seeking  tliee ;  that  there  are  so 
many  tliat  with  avowed  purpose  are  seeking  the  way  to 
thee ;  tliat  there  are  so  many  that  from  backslidings  and 
wanderings  are  returning  to  thee;  that  there  are  so 
many  that  have  luid  a  long  night  and  troubled  dreams, 
that  are  coining  to  the  dawn,  and  are  waking.  Thou 
Star  of  the  morning,  shine  out  for  tliose  that  watch  and 
wait,  to  tell  them  the  way  from  which  the  light  comes. 
Thou  Sun  of  rio-hteousness,  rise  wdth  healino-  in  thv 
beams  ;  rise  to  drive  away  darkness  and  all  its  works  of 
wickedness;  rise,  that  the  children  of  light  may  come 
forth  and  bear  witness  of  their  God. 

Accept,  we  beseech  of  thee,  the  consecration  which 
thou  hast  inclined  these  thy  servants*  to  make  of  them- 

*  Just  received  into  the  Chuich. 


YOUTHFUL   ACCESSIOXS.  315 

selves  to  thee.  We  thank  thee  that  they  are  beginning 
so  early  to  serve  thee.  We  thank  thee  that  it  is  not  the 
fragments  of  their  life  that  they  bring  with  them.  We 
thank  thee  that  they  do  not  come  to  Christ  only  to  be 
insured  against  death.  We  thank  thee  that  they  have 
consecrated  the  dew  of  their  vouth  to  their  God,  and  that 
they  mean  to  live  a  life  of  purity,  of  love,  of  truth,  of  self- 
denial,  and  of  activity  for  others.  And  we  pray  that  the 
generous  and  godly  purposes  which  have  been  inspired 
in  their  hearts,  and  have  ripened  into  convictions  and 
decisions  in  them,  may  be  nourished  by  thy  grace,  and 
perpetuated  by  thy  spirit,  which  gave  them  birth.  And 
may  they  never  be  ashamed  of  Christ  or  his  cause.  May 
they  never  be  weary  of  well-doing.  May  they  begin  at 
once  to  do  all  the  duty  that  is  made  known  to  them. 
And  may  they  have  manifested  in  their  hearts  the  truth 
of  thy  word,  that  thy  yoke  is  easy  and  that  thy  bur- 
den is  light.  May  they  have  victories.  May  they  have 
hope  and  courage  inspired  from  the  very  beginning,  by 
victories  over  easily-besetting  sins. 

Unite  husbands  and  wives  by  a  purer,  a  sweeter,  and  a 
more  heavenly  affection.  Grant  that  there  may  be  to 
all  of  us  this  background  of  immortality.  There  may 
we  plant  ourselves.  There  may  all  noble  aspirations 
find  their  source.  There  may  we  live  together  in  the 
hope  of  glory  in  a  realm  where  sorrow,  and  tears,  and 
separation,  and  death,  are  known  no  more. 

Grant,  we  beseech  of  thee,  thy  blessing  to  rest  upon 
the  labors  of  all  thy  servants ;  upon  the  efforts  of  those 
that  teach  in  the  Sabbath  school  and  in  Bible  classes. 
And  we  pray  that  thou  wilt  bless  the  pupils  under  their 
charge.  And  may  there  be  those  that  shall  gird  them- 
selves, and  go  forth  and  preach  the  gospel  to  the  ungath- 


316  beeciier's  pulpit  devotioxs. 

ered,  the  scattered,  the  ignorant,  the  vicious,  the  crimi- 
nal. May  there  be  an  anointing  of  the  Holy  Ghost  day 
by  day  in  them,  and  may  the  work  be  its  own  reward. 
May  they  rejoice  that  they  are  counted  worthy  to  do 
anything  for  the  name  of  Christ. 

We  pray  that  thou  wilt  bless  all  the  churches ;  revive 
thy  work  in  them  more  and  more  powerfully.  And 
grant  that  the  time  for  the  visitation  of  Zion  may  come 
in  all  the  land.  May  we  hear  tidings  of  the  glories  of 
thy  salvation  on  every  side.  And  as  war  hath  broken 
out  and  rolled  its  lurid  clouds  of  darkness  over  the  land, 
now  let  there  be  poured  out  streams  of  the  light  of  thy 
kingdom  clear  across  this  continent.  And  we  beseech 
of  thee  that  the  dwellers  on  the  sea,  and  those  in  wilder- 
nesses, and  those  scattered  through  mountains  and  mines, 
may  hear  the  tidings  of  thy  salvation.  And  everywhere 
may  man  begin  to  love  man.  Everywhere  may  man  be 
precious  in  the  eyes  of  his  fellows  for  Christ's  sake. 
And,  we  beseech  of  thee,  overturn  and  overturn  in  all  the 
nations  of  the  earth,  and  bring  in  that  latter  day,  that 
glorious  time  of  appointment  that  surely  marches  on, 
when  all  the  earth  shall  see  thy  salvation. 

And  to  thy  name  shall  be  the  praise,  Father,  Son,  and 
Spirit.     Amen. 


SOCIAL  OR  LECTUEE-ROOM   PRAYERS. 

Friday  Evenings. 

No.  I. 

Thou  that  art  the  Highest,  we  rejoice  in  thee.  "When  separated 
from  thee,  the  inspirations  of  our  life  are  lost,  and  our  joy  is  but 
as  color  in  darkness ;  but  when  we  are  joined  to  thee,  our  hearts 
sing,  and  all  oppositions  cease;  sorrow  itself  is  luminous,  and  th^ 
plainest  things  are  most  beauteous.  Joy  is  unspeakable  then  and 
full  of  glory.  Thy  way  is  wondrous.  That  which  thou  canst  do 
for  thine  own,  though  we  know  it  not  all,  we  know  it  in  some 
measure,  and  we  adore  thee  for  thy  grace ;  we  adore  and  love  thee 
for  all  that  makes  thee  God.  Thy  power  and  august  dignity  wo 
recognize;  but  oh!  thy  heart,  thy  love,  thy  beneficent  wisdom,  thy 
tenderness  are  past  all  comparison.  The  gradations  of  thy  mercy 
will  never  be  known.  Thou  lovest  to  be  a  God  of  mercy.  This  is 
thy  delight.  "We  rejoice,  since  we  need  it  in  infinite  stores,  that  it 
is  poured  endlessly  abroad  ;  and  that  all  our  wants  are  met.  Our 
necessities  are  known  to  thee  before  they  are  known  to  us;  and 
thy  supplies  are  waiting  for  us. 

"We  thank  thee  for  the  past.  How  many  memories  of  thee  that 
come  to  our  hours  of  musing  are  full  of  sweetness,  as  things  are 
tliat  come  from  a  garden  of  flowers.  We  rejoice  that  thou  art 
making  heaven  to  us  as  a  garden ;  and  that  the  influences  wafted 
thence  are  so  full  of  fragrance,  and  have  in  them  so  much  to  make 
us  patient  here ;  so  much  to  make  us  willing  to  live  ;  so  much  that 
inspires  humiliation  and  divine  ambition ;  so  much  that  makes  us 
content  to  submit  to  thy  will.  Do  with  us  as  thou  pleasest.  We 
leave  ourselves  in  thy  hands,  and,  living  or  dying,  we  desire  to  be 
the  Lord's.  O  that  we  might  understand  what  is  the  glory  of  our 
calling  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  what  is  the  riches  of  the  inheritance 


018  beecher's  social  or 

of  the  saints  in  glory!  Why  should  we  go,  made  dingy  by  care? 
"Why  should  we  be  drudging  in  life?  Why  should  we  spend  our 
time,  and  employ  all  our  nobler  powers  in  the  service  of  things 
mean  beyond  comparison?  We  who  are  called  in  heaven;  we 
whose  names  are  written  there  ;  we  upon  whom  is  passed  the  bap- 
tism of  the  Spirit — we  are  the  beloved  of  God,  around  about  whom 
wait  his  ministering  angels ;  for  whom  Providence  moves ;  who 
are  dear  to  the  heart  of  the  Redeemer;  whose  wants  time  and  eter- 
nity are  made  to  serve.  Lord  God!  we  beseech  of  thee  that  we 
may  live  worthy  of  the  vocation  wherewith  we  are  called.  May 
we  put  aside  fear;  may  we  throw  away  sorrow;  may  we  be  rid 
of  care ;  may  we  cast  our  burdens  on  thee.  They  are  no  burdens  to 
thee ;  and  they  cease  to  be  burdens  to  us  when  we  cast  them  on  thee. 
O  Lord,  think  of  us;  think  for  us;  provide  for  our  daily  wants. 
Give  us  not  only  a  place  where  to  lay  our  head,  but  a  place  likewise 
where  we  can  lay  our  heart — even  upon  thine — that  we  may  have 
that  peace  which  passeth  all  understanding.  Why  should  we  starve 
when  there  is  meat  enough  in  our  Father's  house  ;  or  grieve  when 
there  is  joy  waiting  for  us ;  or  despond  when  everlasting  hope  is  lifted 
up  upon  us,  and  it  is  proclaimed  that  we  are  saved  by  hope?  A\''e 
desire  to  make  more  of  our  salvation  by  Christ.  We  desire  to  have 
more  comfort  and  more  strength  in  thee.  May  we  know  how  to 
use  thee  more.  May  we  know  how  to  put  thee  on  as  a  garment; 
how  to  take  thee  as  a  Saviour;  how  to  feed  upon  thee  as  the  bread 
of  life ;  and  how  to  behold  thee  as  the  Sun  of  Righteousness, 
shining  upon  all,  and  filling  all  with  the  glory  of  thine  own  excel- 
lence. 

Grant  a  blessing  to  rest  upon  us  to-niglit.  Already  it  is  coming. 
We  thank  thee  for  these  meetings;  for  the  fellowship  of  saints; 
for  this  rest  given  to  us  in  the  intervals  of  care  and  trouble ;  for 
the  privilege  of  praising  thee,  and  praying  to  thee.  We  thank 
thee  for  the  unnumbered  evenings  and  days  that  have  gone  by ; 
for  the  fellowship  of  years ;  for  the  memories  that  eternity  shall 
not  effiice.  Bind  us  together  to-night.  Give  us  joy  and  profit  in 
this  our  meeting.     We  ask  it  for  Christ's  sake.     Amen. 


T.ECTURE-EOOM   PRAYERS.  319 

No.  11. 
PKEPARATORY    LECTURE. 

O,  A90EXDED  Redeemer,  thou  art  ever  in  the  presence  of  tliy 
Father,  unforgetting,  and  forever  loving.  After  having  h^ved 
tliine  own,  thou  didst  love  them  unto  the  end.  To  the  end  of  the 
world,  and  through  eternity,  thou  wilt  he  the  loving  Saviour.  And 
now  the  evidences  of  thy  affection  and  faithfulness  are  in  us.  We 
are  severally  witnesses  of  thy  goodness,  in  enlightening  us  when  we 
were  in  darkness;  in  searching  us,  and  causing  our  sins  to  rise  up 
in  order  before  us.  "We  are  witnesses  that  thou  didst  call  us  whoi^. 
we  vrere  raised  with  an  effectual  calling ;  and  that  we  were  madf) 
to  know  that  God  was  gracious.  And  since  we  liave  recognized 
thine  authority  and  called  ourselves  by  thy  name,  thou  hast  noli 
forgotten  to  do  us  good — no,  not  for  one  moment.  In  our  way- 
wardness, in  our  forgetful ness,  in  our  backslidings,  in  our  wicked 
woridliness,  in  doubts  and  fears  and  retrocessions,  thou  hast 
been  full  of  goodness.  Yea,  when  we  have  been  unfaithful,  thou 
hast  been  faithful.  Thou  abidest,  0  Go<l,  and  never  changest. 
Thou  dwellest  without  variableness  or  shadow  of  turning.  It  is 
mon  tliat  changes  and  passes  away. 

We  rejoice,  O  God,  to  acknowledge  thee,  to  call  ourselves  by 
thy  name;  and  we  rejoice  that  we  are  gatliered  into  thy  visible 
church,  that  we  have  been  made  to  take  the  vows  and  covenants 
of  God  upon  us;  and  we  desire  to  be  known  as  thy  disciples,  and 
never  to  draw  back  from  tlie  consecrations  that  we  have  ma<le.  We 
desire  to  be  aided  by  tliy  holiness  and  love,  so  that  tlie  worhl 
may  see  Christ  in  us.  May  we  be  able  so  to  maintain  thy  testi- 
mony, that  thy  word  sliall  be  revived  in  its  living  form  in  us;  and 
we  may  go  forth  epistles  read  and  known  of  all  men. 

Be  pleased  to  bless  us  as  a  church.  We  beseech  thee  grant  to 
every  individual  member  of  this  great  body  tliy  saving  presence. 
And  as  we  cannot  enumerate  all  their  wants,  we  commend  them 
to  thee.  Be  pleased  to  find  out  the  want  of  every  one,  and  to 
relieve  it  from  thine  own  infinite  grace  and  fullness.  Tliere  are 
many  that  are  discouraged;  but  thy  strength  is  as  abundant  for 
them  nov/  as  it  was  in  days  that  are  past.     Tliere  are  many  that 


320  beecher's  social  ok 

say,  ""Wluit  shall  we  eat?  what  shall  we  drink?  and  wherewithal 
shall  we  be  clothed  ?"  And  thoa  art  saying  to  them,  "  Your  heavenly 
Father  knoweth  that  ye  have  need  of  all  these  things."  There  are 
many  that  sit  despondent;  there  are  many  that  have  been  be- 
reaved ;  there  are  many  that  are  suifering ;  there  are  many  who 
have  friends  that  are  sick;  there  are  many  who  have  lost  friends 
from  their  earthly  estate.  Be  pleased,  O  thou  comforting  One,  to 
comfort  them  severally,  according  to  their  need,  and  thine  infinite 
mercy  and  goodness. 

And  now  thou  art  preparing  thy  people  to  come  together,  with 
vows  and  faithful  promises,  to  celebrate  thy  dying  love.  O  may 
they  never  forget  thy  love.  May  the  sun  and  the  stars  disappear 
from  the  heavens  before  any  heart  that  has  known  the  love  of 
Christ  shall  forget  it.  And  may  we  mourn  over  those  sins  that 
make  us  unworthy  to  call  ourselves  by  his  name.  May  we  seek 
more  and  more  to  resist  the  enemies  of  Christ,  and  to  fortify  our- 
selves that  we  may  be  faithful  in  his  cause.  And  wilt  thou  prepare 
us  for  the  celebration  of  thy  dying  love.  May  all  that  come  together, 
come  called  and  baptized  by  the  Spirit  of  God. 

Kememberany  that  are  scattered  abroad,  dispersed,  and  that  would 
fain  come  together  with  us.  O  Lord,  may  there  still  be  borne  out 
to  them  a  communion  of  the  Spirit ;  and  if  they  turn  their  thoughts 
foward  this  Sabbath  that  is  approaching,  and  yearn  for  thy  sanc- 
tuary, be  pleased,  O  God,  to  cause  that,  wherever  they  are,  the 
ministration  of  thy  providence  and  grace  may  abound  to  them. 

Thou  hast  withdrawn  many  from  our  midst.  Thou  art  giving 
them  the  privilege  of  standing  up  for  the  maintenance  of  right  in 
this  great  national  struggle  upon  which  thou  hast  permitted  us  to 
enter.  Be  pleased  to  strengthen  them  in  the  day  of  battle.  May 
their  hearts  not  fear.  "When  other  men  fear  and  melt  away,  may 
they  feel,  as  it  were,  the  glory  of  God  standing  around  about  them, 
and  carrying  them  wherever  they  go.  In  sickness,  in  suflering  of 
wounds,  or  in  the  last  passion  and  anguish,  Holy  Ghost  draw  near 
and  abide  with  them.  And  we  beseech  of  thee  that  tliou  wilt 
make  this  church  rich,  not  so  much  in  the  number  of  its  members, 
as  in  their  heroism,  in  their  spiritual  loveliness,  in  their  earnest 
fidelity  to  duty.  And  may  Christ  have  many  witnesses  from  out 
of  the  midst  of  this  people. 


LECTURE-ROOM   PRAYERS.  321' 


No.    III. 

We  thank  theo  for  thine  exceeding  bounty  and  love,  O  Lord 
Jesus,  our  Eedeemer.  We  thank  thee  for  our  souls'  own  expe- 
rience, "What  to  us  is  the  heaven  around  us,  and  the  earth  filled 
with  tokens  of  thy  love  and  kindness ;  what  are  food  and  raiment ; 
what  are  all  the  blessings  of  the  household,  compared  with  the 
glory  which  thou  dost  bring  to  the  soul  in  the  assurance  of  thy 
love  to-day.  For  the  earth  fades  and  passes  away.  At  longest, 
we  are  here  but  a  little  time.  In  our  Father's  house  eternity 
dwells.  But  when  thou  dost  disclose  thyself  to  us,  and  call  us 
thine,  speaking  our  sins  forgiven,  and  giving  us  the  promise  of  thy 
life  as  the  assurance  of  ours,  saying,  "Because  I  live  ye  shall  live 
also,"  then,  O  blessed  Savior,  with  what  transport  do  we  hail  the 
gift  of  immortality,  and  all  its  blessedness,  with  thee,  with  thine, 
with  ours.  Cleansed  from  every  sin,  redeemed  from  every  weak- 
ness, knowing  as  we  are  known,  we  shall  forever  and  forever,  in 
thy  presence,  in  thine  own  immediate  love  and  care,  hold  on  our 
exalted  being  through  endless  ages  of  blessedness.  Eye  hath  not 
seen,  nor  ear  heard,  nor  hath  it  entered  into  the  heart  of  man  to 
conceive,  what  thou  hast  laid  up  for  those  that  love  thee,  and 
whom  thou  dost  love. 

Now,  we  beseech  thee  that  thou  wilt  manifest  thyself  to  all  that 
are  here.  Break  through  the  settled  gloom,  if  there  be  those  that 
are  in  darkness  which  shrouds  their  mind.  Though  they  are  not 
worthy  of  thee,  make  thyself  glorious  to  them.  And  wilt  thou  be 
full  of  all  those  noble  benefactions  which  thou  art  wont  to  bestow 
upon  the  undeserving.  Are  there  any  in  thy  presence  that  are 
mourning  because  of  their  sins  ?  While  thou  callest  them  to  arise 
and  forsake  the  evil  of  their  way,  and  turn  to  thee  by  newness  of 
life,  0  Lord  God,  grant  that  there  may  be  a  heart  given  to  them  to 
feel  thy  call.  We  beseech  thee  that  thou  Avilt  grant  that  if  there 
be  any  in  thy  presence  that  yearn  for  better  knowledge  and  higher 
disclosures  of  God,  they  may  be  satisfied.  Show  thyself  to  them  as 
thou  dost  not  to  the  world.  May  the  Spirit  of  God  be  with  them. 
May  they  feel  that  they  have  an  indwelling  Saviour.  May  they 
have  that  perfect  peace  which  passeth  all  understanding  ;  which 
not  the  dread  of  their  own  sin  can  disturb ;  which  not  all  the 
14* 


322  beecher's  social  or 

clamor  and  confusion  of  the  world,  nor  all  the  clianges  that  come 
upon  the  human  race  can  mar,  and  which  is  promised  and  given 
freely,  flowing  as  a  river  of  life. 

Are  there  any  in  our  midst  that  desire,  because  of  their  sick- 
ness, to  be  remembered  before  thee  ?  Wo  beseech  thee  be  near  to 
them  in  their  trial  and  trouble.  Bless  them  with  the  disclosures 
of  the  truth  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  make  their  way  toward 
the  heavenly  home  a  sure  way;  and  as  birds  forsake  the  winter 
in  the  north,  and  fly  through  the  liquid  air,  singing  as  they  fly,  to 
seek  warmer  climes,  so  may  they,  when  they  go  homeward,  sing 
as  they  fly  all  the  way  thither.  And  hearing  their  joy,  knowing 
their  witness,  may  we  be  encouraged  to  follow  them,  and  live  with 
trust  in  Christ,  knowing  that  he  will  not  forsake  us  in  the  hour  of 
weakness  and  dying.  For  what  soul,  0  Jesus,  ever  put  its  trust  in 
thee,  and  was  forsaken  ?  Who  ever  leaned  upon  thy  bosom,  and 
was  cast  thence  ?  There  is  blessing  yet  for  every  one  that  comes 
seeking  with  a  childlike  disposition,  and  willing  to  take. 

We  beseech  thee  that  if  there  are  any  that  are  without  hope 
and  without  God,  suflTering  in  sickness  and  gloom  of  mind,  and  in 
a  dark  and  troubled  way,  thou  wilt  be  pleased  to  bring  upon  their 
night  the  morning  of  hope.  May  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  arise 
upon  them  with  healing  in  its  beams. 

Grant,  we  pray  thee,  a  blessing  to  those  that  are  of  us,  but 
not  among  us,  detained  by  various  errands  in  thy  providence. 
Some  we  know  are  far  from  us  in  circumstances  of  labor,  and 
danger,  and  great  trial.  Give  them  courage,  fortitude,  and  fidelity. 
May  tliey  to  the  end  endure  as  good  soldiers  of  Christ,  and 
approved  through  faith  of  Christ,  by  their  good  works.  And 
grant  that  there  may  be  a  Gospel  in  the  camp.  May  a  fire  be 
kindled  in  every  single  regiment  of  our  army  by  those  that  know 
Christ.  And  hasten  the  day  when  all  over  the  world  the  power 
of  Christ's  religion  shall  be  felt,  and  when  nations  shall  make  war 
no  more.  And  grant  that  thy  glory  may  fill  the  earth,  as  the 
waters  fill  tlie  sea.  Even  so.  Lord,  come  quickly.  And  to  thy 
name  shall  be  the  praise,  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit.     Amen. 


LECTUIIE-EOOM   PEATERS.  323 


Ko.  IV. 


Thou  blessed  Redeemer,  everywhere  thine  eye  of  love  and  mercy 
dwells,  and  wherever  thy  looks  are,  there  is  light  and  joy.  "Who 
can  wander  from  thy  presence?  and  who  that  consciously  is  in  thy 
presence  can  be  much  in  sorrow  or  in  sadness  ?  For  thou  hast 
taught  us  to  sanctify  affliction.  Thou  hast  taught  us  its  meanings, 
and  all  its  blessed  fruits  and  remunerations.  And  though  for  the 
present  it  is  not  joyous,  but  grievous ;  afterward  it  worketh  the 
peaceable  fruit  of  righteousness.  Be  pleased,  O  Lord  Jesus,  to 
bring  us  into  such  communion  with  thee,  that  all  things  shall  be 
relatively  indifferent.  Grant  that  we  may  have  such  a  sense  of  our 
riches  in  Christ's  love,  such  a  sense  of  power  in  the  communica- 
tions of  divine  grace,  such  an  ascendancy  over  time  and  circum- 
stances, such  a  sense  of  the  shortness  of  life  and  the  nearness  of 
the  eternal  life,  and  such  premonitions  of  its  glory,  of  the  fullness 
of  its  joy,  and  of  its  interchanging  and  unwasting  blessedness,  that 
we  shall  not  be  moved  from  our  constancy.  Deliver  us,  we  pray 
thee,  from  all  looking  forward  with  pain  and  apprehension.  For 
why  should  we  bear  the  burden  that  belongs  to  the  infinite  One  ? 
"Why  should  we  carry  that  which  thou  wilt  carry  for  us?  For 
cares  and  troubles  do  not  vex  thee,  while  they  oppress  us,  and 
weigh  us  down  to  the  ground.  May  we  learn  how  to  cast  our  care 
upon  him  who  careth  for  us;  how  to  trust  in  the  Lord  and  do 
good ;  how  to  go  day  by  day,  fearing  no  evil ;  how  to  be  in  that 
perfect  liberty  which  love  gives.  Children  of  the  Highest,  brethren 
together  through  Jesus  Christ — grant  that  we  may  feel  that  all 
things  are  for  us;  that  our  Father  owns  the  earth,  with  its  seasons, 
with  all  its  possessions ;  that  the  earth  is  the  Lord's,  and  the  full- 
ness thereof;  and  that  therefore  it,  and  all  things  that  are  in  it, 
are  ours.  Grant  that  we  may  feel  the  largeness  of  that  calling  to 
which  we  are  called ;  that  it  may  give  us  joy,  and  peace,  and  in- 
spiration, and  gratitude,  and  love. 

Be  pleased  to  bless  thy  servants  that  are  gathered  together  to- 
night. To  each  one  grant  the  spirit  of  needed  help  according  to 
thine  insight  and  wisdom,  and  not  according  to  the  wisdom  of  our 
asking.  Grant  that  if  any  are  in  trouble,  they  may  be  succored 
therein.     If  any  are  in  darkness,  may  they  find  rising  a  star  over 


324  beecher's  social  or 

tlie  horizon  of  their  night.  If  any  are  perplexed,  be  pleased,  0 
Lord,  to  guide  tliem  out  of  their  doubt  into  the  plain  path  of  dut3^ 
Ligliten  the  burdens  of  those  that  bend  beneath  their  load.  And 
grant,  we  pray  thee,  that  every  one  may  feel  and  know  that  the 
Spirit  worketh  in  him,  and  may  have  the  earnest  of  his  promised 
possession.  We  pray  that  thou  wilt  accept  our  thanks  for  these 
hours  of  communion,  and  for  all  the  memories  of  the  past  in  con- 
nection with  them.  How  rich  has  our  life  been,  beyond  all  meas- 
uring of  our  own !  How  full  have  been  thy  mercies !  And  because 
they  have  been  so  many  and  so  continuous,  we  have  lost  the  reck- 
oning, so  that  we  scarcely  know  how  much  thou  hast  done  for  us. 
"We  thank  thee  for  the  past.  We  humbly  trust  thee  for  the  future. 
Be  pleased  to  preserve  us,  and  to  fit  us  more  and  more  for  the  work 
of  thine  earthly  kingdom.  And  at  last,  through  riclies  of  grace  in 
Christ  Jesus,  take  us  all  to  our  heavenly  home,  and  there  we  will 
praise  the  Father,  and  the  Son,  and  the  Spirit.     Araeu. 


No.  V. 

Geant,  O  God,  now  that  we  have  entered  on  another  year — a  year 
of  the  revelation  of  the  right-hand  of  thy  glory ;  a  year  that  thou  art 
making  wonderful  among  all  the  years  of  time — grant  that,  for  the 
sake  of  the  truth,  and  for  the  sake  of  holiness,  we  may  lift  ourselves 
np  to  a  higher  life.  May  we  be  called  to  act  from  nobler  motives. 
May  we  endeavor  to  take  a  clearer  and  truer  conception  of  duty. 
And  may  we,  for  Christ's  sake,  and  for  the  sake  of  his  cause,  conse- 
crate ourselves  afresh  to  thee.  Thou,  0  God,  canst  lift  us  up ;  and 
only  thou  canst  do  it.  All  our  courage  will  be  in  vain,  and  all  our 
good  resolutions  will  sleep  as  sentinels  over-wearied  at  their  post, 
and  we  shall  be  surprised  and  destroyed  if  thou  art  not  vigilant 
for  us,  and  thy  grace  is  not  exercised  in  our  behalf.  We  stand 
importuning,  not  because  thou  needest  to  be  importuned,  and  art 
reluctant  to  bestow  mercies  upon  us.  We  know  not  why  we  do 
it,  except  that  tliou  hast  told  us. to  ask  for  such  things  as  we 
desire. 

We  beseech  thee  to  grant  to  every  one  in  thy  presence  that 
blessing  wliich  cannot  be  mistaken ;  that  voice  which  can  como 


LECTURE-ROOM   PRATERS.  325 

only  from  Him  that  spcaketh  to  the  inmost  consciousness.  Grant 
to  everyone  the  incoming  of  thy  Spirit.  Grant  to  every  one  a  holy 
joy,  a  heavenly  gladness.  May  every  one  in  thy  presence  to-night 
feel  that  he  has  been  the  guest  of  God  himself.  And  grant  that  all 
our  offerings  of  song,  and  prayer,  and  meditation,  and  instruction, 
on  this  occasion,  may  be  acceptable  in  thy  sight,  and  beneficial  to 
us.     We  ask  it  through  Jesus,  the  Redeemer.     Ameu. 


No.  YI. 

We  rejoice,  thou  Forerunner,  that  thou  hast  entered  into  rest  for 
thyself  and  for  thy  people.  The  world  has  no  more  dominion  over 
thee,  and  thou  hast  dominion  over  all  the  earth.  Sorrows  are 
under  thy  feet.  Thou  dost  tread  them  down  as  the  grass.  We  are 
encompassed  by  them :  thou  no  more  forever.  We  are  driven  to 
and  fro  by  the  forces  yet  in  conflict :  thou,  supreme  Victor,  dost 
sit  serene,  knowing  to  the  very  end  of  thine  administration  that  all 
things  are  working  together  right  and  well.  And  we  need  the 
surety  of  God.  We  need  to  rise  up  above  ourselves.  There  is  no 
strength  of  will,  no  settledness  of  purpose,  no  achievement  in  times 
past,  no  sense  of  knowledge,  nor  of  power,  nor  of  goodness,  nor  of 
skill,  that  can  give  us  quiet.  Nor  is  there  anything  that  we  can 
lean  upon  on  earth  that  is  sufficient.  We  are  too  Aveak  to  lean 
upon  each  other.  All  is  mortal  and  fallible  in  this  lower  sphere ; 
and  only  when  we  lift  ourselves  by  fixith  into  thy  presence,  and 
behold  thy  face  of  love  and  infinite  wisdom ;  only  when  we  feel 
thy  heart  beating  through  all  changes  and  revolutions  with  the 
same  love,  do  we  find  peace — thy  peace.  Not  as  the  world  giveth 
dost  thou  give.  Not  that  peace  which  comes  from  desires  fulfilled  ; 
not  that  peace  which  comes  from  petty  victories  here,  dost  thou 
give.  Thou,  O  God,  dost  overspread  the  soul  with  thine  own 
divine  Spirit.  Thou  dost  brood  upon  it,  and  only  its  divine  feel- 
ings lift  themselves  up  to  thy  call,  and  enjoy  thee ;  and  we  have 
rest  indeed.  In  thee  we  inherit  all  things.  Without  thee  we  are 
orphans  ;  poor  and  naked  and  miserable. 

And  now,  O  Lord  Jesus,  accept  our  thanks  for  our  past  expe- 
rience.    How  often,  when  hungry,  have  we  run  to  thee  and  been 


320  BEECHEIi's    SOCIAL    OR 

fed.  How  often,  when  disgusted,  and  filled  with  shame,  and 
remorse,  and  tenipestiions  and  conflicting  feelings,  liave  we  turned 
from  the  world  and  from  ourselves,  and  from  every  thing  but  thee, 
and  gone  to  thee,  and  found  halm  and  consolation. 

And  we  beseech  thee  that  thou  wilt  look  upon  any  that  may  be 
in  thy  presence  who  cannot  look  up  to  thee,  who  smite  upon,  their 
breast  and  say,  "God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner;"  and  who  are 
deeply  penetrated  with  a  consciousness  of  their  unworthiness 
before  thee.  Oh,  thou  canst  smile  away  the  sorrow  even  of 
remorse.  Thou  canst  bind  up  those  that  are  wounded  in  their 
very  conscience.  Thou,  in  the  greatness  and  the  wonder  of  thy 
love,  canst  heal  the  broken  in  heart.  And  we  beseech  thee, 
to-night,  that  thou  wilt  draw  near  to  any  such  who  are  in  thy 
jjresence,  and  give  them  joy  for  sorrow,  and  health  for  sickness  of 
soul.  Manifest  thyself  a  Saviour  ;  and  may  sin-sick  souls  find  now 
their  Physician,  and  be  healed,  and  go  forth  to  tell  what  the  Lord 
hath  done  for  them. 

And  wilt  thou  look  upon  thy  church  ;  upon  thy  cause  in  this 
land  ;  upon  'thy  peo[>Ie,  divided  and  striving  under  tempestuous 
winds  that  cast  up  mire  and  dirt.  Is  not  this  the  time  for  the 
sovereign  to  come?  All  thy  messengers  that  go  forth  are  but 
men.  Now  we  need  the  great  Jehovah,  Thou,  Prince  of  salva- 
tion, make  bare  thine  arm  in  the  midst  of  the  people.  Speak,  that 
men  may  obey  thee.  Cast  down  thine  enemies  in  confusion.  May 
the  righteous  begin  to  take  heart  and  courage  again.  And  may  all 
men  behold,  and  cry  out,  "The  Lord  hath  come  to  judgment!" 

And  we  beseech  tliee  that  thou  wilt  look  in  compassion  upon  all 
the  nations  of  the  world.  Oh,  how  long  shall  the  earth  be  as  a 
cup  filled  with  wrath,  and  overflowing?  When,  0  Lord  Jesus, 
shall  thy  wondrous  power  of  death  give  life  to  this  world,  and 
cleanse  it,  and  establish  it  in  righteousness  ?  We  long  for  thy 
coming;  and  if  we  may  not  see  it  here,  yet  grant,  througli  thine 
unspeakable  grace  and  love,  that  each  of  us,  going  forth  in  duo 
time  from  our  labor,  may  rise  to  that  blessed  land  where  we  shall 
see  the  salvation  of  God.  And  to  thy  name  shall  be  the  praise, 
Father,  Son,  and  Spirit.     Ameu. 


LECTURE-EOOM   PEATERS.  327 


No.  YII. 

O  Lord  our  God,  lift  us  out  of  our  low  thought  and  carnal 
understanding,  and  bring  us  up  into  that  eternal  peace  and  calm 
where  thou  dost  dwell,  loving  and  blessing  with  everlasting  bene- 
jQcence.  All  around  about  thee  is  bright  with  purity,  with  thoughts 
of  justice,  and  with  acts  of  mercy.  There  is  no  wasting  the  infinite 
abundance  of  God.  Thou  dost  send  forth  streams  of  blessings  that 
flow  and  never  cease  ;  and  yet  the  fountain  is  not  diminished.  Wo 
rejoice  in  thy  fullness.  We  rejoice  that  thou  art  the  same  yester- 
day, to-day,  and  forever ;  loving  still,  and  giving  still.  We  rejoice 
in  thy  power  and  wisdom  which  follow  upon  thy  life.  And  shall 
we  be  afraid  to  ask  thee  for  mercies  ?  We  bring  our  own  wants ; 
we  bring  the  anxieties  of  our  households  ;  we  bring  our  cares  and 
distractions;  we  bring  our  sorrows  and  sadnesses  and  despon- 
dencies, and  ask  that  they  may  be  taken  away  from  us.  We  ask 
that  our  burdens  may  be  hghtened ;  that  our  heart-troubles  may 
be  healed.  Grant,  also,  that  we  may  bring  our  solicitude  for  tliy 
cause,  with  contidence  that  thou  dost  love  to  be  gracious.  Thou 
wilt  remember  Zion.  Thou  wilt  build  up  the  waste  places.  The 
walls  of  Jwnisalem  shall  not  for  ever  be  thrown  down.  Thou  wilt 
rebuild  them.  And  the  temple  which  thou  wilt  yet  build  shall  be 
more  glorious  than  was  the  first. 

We  beseech  thee,  remember  our  own  land.  O  Lord  God,  behold  it, 
and  have  compassion  upon  it.  And  if  it  be  needful  that  thy  work 
of  fire  should  go  on,  burn  fiercely,  flame  of  the  Lord,  that  the  end 
may  soon  be  consummated.  And  then,  when  thou  hast  wrought  a 
work  of  righteousness,  give  us  peace. 

We  beseech  thee  to  hear  our  prayer  for  those  that  have  ofi'ended 
thee ;  for  those  that,  for  the  sake  of  oppression,  have  gone  into 
rebellion.  Turn  them  back.  Overthrow  their  banners  in  the  day 
of  battle.  And  have  compassion  upon  them.  And  grant,  O  God, 
that  all  the  manifold  sufferings  which  they  have  endured  may  be 
salutary  in  the  end.  And  grant,  we  pray  thee,  tliat  when  we  shall 
be  united  again,  the  strength  of  this  great  land  may  be  exerted 
invariably,  and  for  evermore,  for  justice,  for  e(^uity,  for  religion,  all 


328  beecher's  social  or 

over  the  world.  Let  thy  kingdom  come,  and  let  thy  will  be  done, 
throughout  the  whole  earth.  We  ask  it  for  the  Kcdeemer's  sake. 
Amen. 


No.  VIII. 
July  1,  1864. 

Eternal  God,  thou  sittest  unchangeable  in  eternal  youth,  in 
eternal  love.  That  same  law  which  made  us,  and  made  us  moral 
beings,  prevails  in  heaven  and  upon  the  earth.  And  right  is  the 
same,  and  wrong.  Justice  and  judgment,  love  and  mercy,  all 
divine  attributes,  and  all  our  duties  under  them  are  stable.  And 
though  human-made  things  change,  the  qualities  of  man,  and  mind, 
and  government  do  not.  Thou  sittest  supreme  arbiter;  and  what- 
ever may  be  the  confusion  of  things,  all  things  are  moving  around 
about  the  stated  laws  of  thine  empire.  And  we  rejoice  that  in  this 
confusion  there  is  form  ;  that  in  our  helplessness  there  is  help  ;  and 
that  over  against  our  ignorance  and  apprehension  there  is  perfect 
wisdom,  and  no  fear  nor  uncertainty. 

And  now,  O  Lord,  our  God,  we  desire  to  be  caught  up  out  of  the 
fever  and  turbulance  of  the  times  in  which  we  dwell.  "We  desire 
to  find  thee  a  very  present  help  in  time  of  trouble.  Lord,  thou 
hast  promised  to  make  thyself  a  refuge.  Thou  art  a  mountain  and 
rock  in  a  weary  land.  We  remember  in  days  gone  by,  when  wo 
liave  gone  up  out  of  the  city  and  troubled  vale  unto  the  tops  of 
mountains,  and  found,  while  it  was  heated  and  full  of  summer 
burnings  below,  that  there  it  was  more  than  cool  and  transparent, 
that  there  no  sound  was  heard,  and  every  thing  dwelt  in  eternal 
calm  and  purity.  Be  pleased,  O  Lord,  to  grant,  since  thou  art  a 
rock  in  a  weary  land,  lifted  far  up  above  toil  and  heat  and  turbu- 
lance, that  we  may  be  able  to  find  thee,  and  to  refresh  ourselves  in 
thy  presence.  O  make  thy  love  sweet  again  to  the  souls  tliat  liave 
known  it  once.  O  make  thy  presence  joyful  to  those  that  liave 
learned  to  joy  in  thee.  O  grant  that  we  may  feel  that  nothing  can 
help  us  nor  enrich  us  that  leaves  thee  out,  and  that  nothing  can 
hurt  us  nor  harm  us  that  includes  thee.  More  and  more  may  our 
life  be  hid  in  thine.     May  we  be  willing  to  give  up  every  thing  of 


LECTURE-KOOM   PKAYERS.  329 

our  cherished  plans.     May  we  be  able  to  say,  as  it  is  evolved  day 
by  day,  and  made  known  to  us,  "  The  will  of  the  Lord  be  done." 

"Grant,  we  pray  thee,  a  blessing  to  rest  upon  thy  dear  people 
that  are  here.  May  every  one  have  a  portion  in  due  season  of  the 
mercy  and  the  grace  which  he  peculiarly  needs.  Some  arc  in 
special  trouble.  Some  are  in  perplexities.  Some  are  in  doubts. 
Some  are  in  sorrows.  Some  are  in  heart-sickness  from  hope  de- 
ferred. Some  are  cast  down  with  grief.  Some  are  burdened. 
Lord,  thou  knowest  every  heart.  Draw  near  to  each  one  and  say 
as  thou  didst  of  old  to  thy  disciples,  "  Peace  I  wiJl  give  thee — my 
peace." 

And  grant,  we  pray  thee,  a  blessing  to  rest  upon  all  that  are  to 
■unite  themselves  with  this  church  upon  the  Sabbath  that  is  coming, 
and  upon  such  as  shall  to-night  accept  the  sacred  profession  and 
vows  of  baptism.*  Lord  God,  we  pray  that  they  may  rejoice. 
May  they  rejoice  that  they  have  an  opportunity  of  professing  the 
power  of  God  upon  their  souls. 

.And  now  we  pray,  O  Lord  our  God,  that  every  member  of  this 
church — all  that  have  walked  in  our  midst,  and  with  whom  we 
have  had  sweet  counsel — may  be  kept  unto  everlasting  life.  And 
when  we  rise  at  last  in  the  other  and  better  land,  may  we  meet 
each  other  there.  We  that  have  worked  together,  and  wept  to- 
gether, and  rejoiced  together,  on  earth,  may  we  hold  on  toget^ '~ 
for  ever  and  for  ever.  And  to  thy  name  shall  be  the  praise,  Fatht 
Son,  and  Spirit.     Ameu. 


"NTo.  IX. 

Tnou  helpful  One,  before  thee  are  all  the  sorrows  of  mankind. 
Thou  hast  borne  sorrow  and  carried  it  since  the  world  began. 
Everlasting  Father,  not  only  is  the  government  upon  thy  shoulder, 
but  thou  art  Counsellor.  Thou  dost  counsel  with  the  afflicted. 
Thou  art  the  wisdom-giving  and  the  strength-giving  God;  and 
thou  hast  from  age  to  age  succored  thy  people,  and  art  faithful, 
and  wilt  be  unto  the  very  end.     We  commend  to  thy  fatherly  caro 

♦  At  the  close  of  tho  meeting  several  persons  were  to  be  baptiied  by  immersion. 


330  beecher's  social  or 

all  tluit  are  in  affliction,  all  that  are  cast  into  darkness  of  bereave- 
ments sore  and  trying.  How  are  we  unprepared  against  ten  thou- 
sand warnings!  Still  we  go  heedless,  with  a  knowledge  that  we 
are  open  and  exposed  to  every  trouble  and  ailment  that  afHicts  our 
fellow-mortals.  We  still  never  tliink  that  we  can  suffer  till  the 
trouble  comes  ;  and  then  we  are  dismayed  and  cast  down,  and  all 
our  confidence  departs.  0  Lord  God,  teach  us  by  thy  friendly 
hand  of  affliction  that  love  in  thee  is  as  love  in  us;  but  purer, 
nobler.  As  we  do  not  willingly  afflict,  but  chastise  for  the  good 
of  our  dear  children,  so  whom  the  Lord  loves  he  chastens.  Are 
any  under  thy  hand?  We  cannot  ask  that  thou  wouldst  lift  thy 
hand — for  thou  wilt  do  what  is  best ;  but  we  pray  for  those  that 
are  pressed  down,  that  thou  wilt  bear  the  knowledge  of  Jesus  unto 
their  wounded  souls.  Bring  near  to  them  the  sense  of  thy  quick- 
ening presence,  and,  above  all,  of  thy  sympathy,  thy  yearning  love, 
for  them.  O,  help  them  to  bear  Avhat  must  be  borne,  and  remove 
what  may  be  removed. 

We  pray,  O  Lord,  that  thou  wilt  comfort  with  a  bright  vision  of 
the  coming  glory,  those  that  are  called  to  separate  from  eartlily 
friends.  It  is  but  a  few  days.  Like  the  weaver's  shuttle,  like  the 
swift  arrow,  like  the  eagle's  flight,  is  the  passage  of  men  through 
this  world  ;  and  all  our  troubles  will  soon  be  over.  A  few  days 
more  of  patience,  a  few  days  more  of  endurance,  and  we  shall  have 
endured  unto  the  end,  and  inherited  the  promises  to  patience  and 
fidelity.  Grant,  we  pray  thee,  to  every  one  of  us,  and  to  all  espe- 
cially that  are  tried  and  oppressed  and  burdened,  the  reality  of 
drawing  near  to  thee,  of  the  shortness  of  the  time  that  remains,  of 
the  nearness  of  the  unsetting  sun,  and  of  that  fadeless  day  that  is 
before  us.  We  are  walking  already  on  the  evening  time  of  life. 
We  are  drawing  near  to  the  morning  time  of  immortality.  0  that 
we  may  rise,  and  awake,  knowing  that  the  day  is  at  hand.  And 
may  we  rejoice  in  its  tokens,  and  be  prepared  to  hail  it,  invoking  and 
receiving  its  sunrise — the  Sun  of  Righteousness  that  shall  never  set. 

And  now,  O  Lord,  dismiss  us  with  thy  blessing  from  tliis  place, 
and  grant  tliat  all  the  services  of  the  evening  may  be  sanctified  by 
thy  Holy  Spirit,  and  be  made  nutritive  to  our  spiritual  nature, 
whicli  we  ask  in  the  Eedeemer's  name.  And  to  the  Father,  the 
Son,  and  the  Spirit,  shall  be  praises  evermore.     Amen. 


LECTUHE-EOOM   PEAYERS.  831 


No.  X. 


TiiotJ,  0  Jesus,  didst  forsake  thine  lieavenlj  company,  and  of 
mere  love  didst  bow  down  to  the  earth,  and  take  the  form  of  man, 
and  bear  all  his  sorVows  and  troubles.  Thou  didst  bear  the  weary 
lot  of  life,  made  in  thy  case  most  burdensome.  Thou  didst  bear 
tlie  pangs  of  Gethsemane  and  the  anguish  of  the  cross,  and  lay 
down  thy  life.  Greater  love  hath  no  man  than  that  he  lay  down 
his  life  for  his  friends;  but  thou  didst  lay  thine  down  for  thine 
enemies.  And  thou  hast  set  up  before  us  this  living  example.  All 
the  power  of  thy  nature  went  forth  for  others.  And  though  thou 
wast  made  happy  in  thine  OW' n  conduct,  it  was  not  for  thyself  that 
thou  didst  live,  but  for  us.  And  now  thou  hast  left  thy  command- 
ment that  we  are  to  walk  in  thy  steps.  We  are  to  live,  not  to 
ourselves,  but  to  thee,  and  for  the  sake  of  thy  disciples,  and  for  the 
sake  of  others  about  us. 

Behold,  O  God,  our  groveling  conceptions ;  the  dead  and  dull 
down-pulling  of  selfishness.  Behold  how  we  run  each  one  for  his 
own  good,  and  by  sympathy  and  imitation  go  in  companies,  and 
strive  to  build  each  himself  or  his  own.  See  how  little  we  have 
sociality  in  disinterestedness,  how  little  we  have  company  one  with 
another  for  others,  and  how  yet  we  are  of  the  earth,  earthy. 
Lord,  if  thou  dost  love  us,  inspire  us  by  thine  own  Spirit  with 
thine  own  example.  May  there  be  the  desire  burning  in  us  day  by 
day  to  live  for  the  welfare  of  thy  kingdom,  for  the  glory  of  our 
God,  and  for  the  benefit  of  our  fellov/-meu.  Thou  hast  given  us 
some  experiences.  Thou  hast  taught  us  to  live,  not  for  our  own 
good,  but  for  the  welfare  of  the  country,  for  the  welfare  of  thy 
church,  for  the  welfare  of  our  kind;  but  how  to  carry  it  out  hour 
by  hour,  in  all  things,  and  toward  all  men,  in  honor  preferring  one 
another,  in  pleasure  preferring  one  another,  in  all  things  preferring 
one  another,  this  we  have  not  learned ;  this  we  have  scarcely  studied. 

Grant,  0  God,  that  tbere  may  be  the  help  from  on  high  without 
which  we  labor  in  vain.  Pour  in  upon  our  minds  some  sacred  con- 
ception of  Christian  life.  Give  us  help  in  executing  it.  And  may 
we  have  the  witness,  at  last,  of  our  conscience,  that  by  the  grace 
of  God  we  have  obtained,  step  by  step,  better  things,  and  are  living 
nearer  both  to  the  spirit^  and  the  example  of  our  Master. 


832  LECTUEE-EOOM   PKAYEKS. 

N'ow,  we  pray  that  thou  wilt  give  us  thy  blessing  as  we  go 
hence.  O  Loi-d  Jesus,  there  is  a  blessing  that  makes  rich,  and  th 
sings  in  the  heart.  There  is  a  blessing  that  is  as  a  well  of  wate 
springing  up.  "VVe  need  not  to  draw  it.  It  comes  up  of  itself,  and 
overflows,  and  comes  down  as  streams  down  the  mountain.  Grant 
us  that  blessing.  O  thou  Spirit  that  dost  promise,  fulfill,  that  men 
may  behold  that  thy  people  are  made  happy  by  thee,  and  that 
thou  art  with  them,  and  dost  abide  in  thera.  Thus  honor  thyself, 
and  draw  men  to  thee.  We  ask  it  for  the  Eedeemer's  sake. 
Amen. 


CHAS.  SCRIBNER  &  CO.'S 

LIST  OF 


TO  BE  PUBLISHED  DURING  THE 

Autumn  of  1867, 


Will  Appear 

IN  SEPTEMBER. 

nniMOTHY  TITCOMB'S  NEW  BOOK.  Kathrina,  her  Life  and 
■*•  Mine;  in  a  Poem.  One  vol.  i2mo.  Price,  $i  50;  full  gilt,  $2  50. 
The  aim  of  this  poem  is  to  illustrate  the  power  of  a  true  woman  to  ennoble  and  to  elevate 
man ;  to  reveal  to  him  the  true  end  of  life,  and  to  lead  him  to  press  after  it  with  the  same 
earnestness  and  determination  which  have  marked  his  struggles  to  realize  his  dreams  of 
ambition.  Although  mainly  narrative  in  form,  parts  of  the  work  are  dramatic  and  lyrical, 
and,  scattered  through  the  poem,  are  passages  imsurpassed  for  their  exquisite  and  pathetic 
tenderness. 

pAULDING'S  (J.  K.)  WORKS.  The  Bulls  and  the  Jonathans 
-^  (uniform  with  the  Literary  Life  of  Paulding).  One  volume,  crown  8vo. 
Price, $2  50. 

T^AY,  Prof.  Henry  N.  Tue  Art  of  English  Composition.  One 
•^-^     vol.  i2mo.     (Uniform  with  Day's  Logic.)    Price,       .        .         $1  50. 

The  Art  of  Discourse.     A  system  of  Rhetoric  adapted  for  use  in 

Colleges  and  Academies,  and  also  for  private  study.  One  vol.  i2mo. 
(Uniform  with  Day's  Logic.)     Price, $1  50. 

/^UIZOT'S  MEDITATIONS  ON  THE  ACTUAL  STATE  OF 
^^  CHRISTIANITY  and  on  the  attacks  which  are  now  being 
made  upon   it.     (Second  series.)     One  vol.  i2mo.     Price,         .        Si  75. 

IN  OCTOBER 

T) LECHER'S  (Henry  Ward)   PRAYERS— PuLPiT,  Occasional,  and 

■^     Social.     One  vol.  i2mo.     Price, $1  75- 

All  who  have  ever  enjoyed  Mr.  Beecher's  ministrations  have  been  impressed  with  the 
feet  that  his  prayers  are  the  most  earnest,  effective,  and  forcible  part  of  his  public  exercises. 
The  spirit  of  deep  devotion,  of  filial  affection  and  childlike  trust  which  breathes  through  those 
comprised  in  this  volume,  will  find  a  response  in  thousands  of  hearts. 

/QUEENS  OF  AMERICAN  SOCIETY  (The).  By  Mrs.  Ellet.  Witn 
\^  thirteen  original  steel  engravings  by  Ritchie,  Hall  and  others.  .  One 
vol.  crown  8vo.     Price, $2  50. 

In  this  volurae  Mrs.  Ellet  gives  us  sketches  of  prominent  belles  and  leaders  of  fashion, 
from  the  early  days  of  the  Republic  to  the  present  time,  and  full  space  is  also  assigned  to  the 
ladies  of  our  own  day  who  have  been  and  are  most  conspicuous  in  our  first  social  circles. 

#**  This  volume  is  adorned  wilh  ori^inril  and  exquisite  steel  engravings  of  portraits  of  the 
most  distinguished  leaders  of  "the  ton"  in  New  York,  Bostou,  Pluladeiphia.  &c 


Charles  Scribner  &  Co.'s  New  Books, 


NE^W  EDITIONS  (Continued). 

TWTARSH  (Hon.  George  P.)   "3  vols.  8vo.     Price,  $3.00  each. 
^^^  I.  Lectures  on  the  English  Language. 

2.  Origin  and  History  of  the  English  Language. 

3.  Man  and  Nature  ;  or,  Physical  Geography,  as  Modified  by  Human  Action. 

pERRY  (Prof.  A.  L.)     Elements  of  Political  Economy.     Revised  and  en« 

larged.     i  voL     Price,  $2  50. 
I'^T'OOLSEY  (President  T.  D.)     Introduction  to  the  Study  of  International 
Law.    Third  Edition,  revised  and  enlarged.     Price, $2  50. 

EDUCATIONAL    WORKS. 
■pELTER'S  Series  of  Arithmetics. 

r^  U YOT'S  (Prof.  Arnold.) 

^^        Primary  Geography,     i  vol.  4to.     Net  price, 9°  cents. 

Intermediate  Geography,     i  vol.  4to.     Net  price, $1  25. 

Common  School  Geography.     1  vol.  4to.     Net  price,  ....  •      $1  So. 

CHELDON'S  Books  on  Object  Teaching.     2  vols,  each    .         .         $2  00, 

^PENNEY   (Sanborn,   A.    M.)      Natural  History  (Zoology).      For    High 

Schools,  Normal  Schools,  Academies.     Over  500  fine  illustrations.      i  vol.  crown  8vo, 

cloth.     Net  price,  $2  25.     Also,  an  Edition  for  Common  jchools.     Net  price,  .        $1  50. 

Ficll  Descriptive   Catalogues  of  our  Educational  Publications  and  Appliances, 
with  testimonials,  sent  to  ajiy  address. 

Illustrated  Holiday  Books  for  1867-68. 

BITTER  SWEET.  A  Poem  by  J.  G.  Holland  (Timothy  Titcomb).  A  new 
and  elegantly  Illustrated  Edition,  with  nearly  eighty  illustrations,  executed  in  the  highest 
stvie  of  art,  from  original  drawings,  by  E.  J.  Whitney,  Esq.,  with  a  fine  portrait  of  the  Author, 
on  .large  paper,  unilorni  with  Folk  Songs,  i  small  4to  vol.  Put  up  in  a  neat  box.  Extra 
l.luminated  cloth.     Price,  #9  00.    Turkey  Morocco  or  antique.     Price,  .        .        $12  00. 

/^OTTER'S  SATURDAY  NIGHT  (The).  An  elegantly  illustrated  edition, 
^     with  fifty  engravings  from  drawings  by  Chapman.    Engraved  by  Filmer.    i  vol.  small  4to, 

bound  in  extra  illuminated  cloth,  full  gilt.     Price, .        #5  00. 

The  same.  Turkey  extra,  or  antique.     Price, $9  00. 

T7LORAL  BELLES  ;    From  the  Greenhouse  and  Garden.     Drawn   and 

Colored  from  Nature  by  Mrs.  Badger,   i  vol.  large  folio.  French  Morocco.  Price,  $25  00. 

Turkey  Morocco.     Price, %2P  o^- 

T7OLK  SONGS  ;  A  Book  of  Golden  Poems,  made  for  the  popular  heart.  A 
■^  new  edition,  on  large  paper,  with  250  additional  pages,  3  new  autograph  Poems,  and  25 
new  engravings,  from  original  designs,  (making  over  100  in  all.)  Fac-siimles  of  the  original 
aiitograph  copies  of  18  famous  poems  bv  Hood,  ("The  Song  of  the  Shirt,")  Tennyson,  Bryant, 
Leigh  Hunt,  Longfellow,  Barry  Cornwall,  Holmes,  Kingsley,  Payne.  ("Home,  Sweet  Home,") 
Whtttier,  I^rowning,  Lowrey,  Emerson.  Willis,  Pinckney,  Halleck,  Elizabeth  B  Browning, 
and  Stodd.ird— expressly  contributed  to  this  work  by  the  poets  and  their  friends.  Printed 
on  I  he  finest  tinted  paper,  at  the  Riverside  Press.  Cambridge  and  superbly  bound.  Turkey 
extra,  ox  antique.     Price,  $18.00.    Extra  illuminated  cloth,  full  gilt,     Price,     .        .        {^15  00. 

A    FAMILY    magazine. 

Hours  at  home  :  a  Popular  Monthly  of  Instruction  and  Recrea- 
tion. Terms  :  $3  per  year,  in  advance  ;  single  numbers  30  cents  ;  six  copies  for  ^15. 
Clubs  of  twelve,  or  more,  receive  it  a*  %z  50,  and  one  copy  gratis  to  the  person  v.ho  gets  up 
the  club.  The  first  five  volumes,  bound,  embracing  the  numbers  to  November,  1S67,  w.Jl  be 
sent  by  mail,  post-paid,  for  ;^io  go.     Single  volumes  $2  50. 


Charles  Scribiier  &  Go's  N'ew  Books, 


READY   IN   OCTOBER   (Continued). 

T  ANGUAGE  AND  THE  STUDY  OF  LANGUAGE.  By  William 
■*-^  DwiGHT  Whitney,  Professor  of  Sanscrit  and  Instructor  in  Modern 
Languages  in  Yale  College.  One  volume,  crown  Svo.  Price,  .  $2  50. 
Prof.  Whitney's  aim  in  these  lectures  is  to  place  in  a  clearly  comprehensible  form,  before 
the  English  reader  and  student,  all  the  principal  facts  regarding  language— its  nature  and 
origin  its  growth,  its  classifications,  its  ethnological  bearing,  its  value  to  man.  Technical  and 
metaphysical  phraseology  is  avoided  as  much  as  possible  and  the  progress  of  the  argument  is 
always  from  that  which  is  well  known,  or  obvious,  to  that  which  is  more  obscure  or  difficult. 
It  is  believed  that  the  work  will  be  widely  adopted  as  a  text-book  for  instruction. 

•pROUDE  (J.  A.)  SHORT  STUDIES  ON  GREAT  SUBJECTS.  One 
■*■  vol.  crown  Svo.  (Uniform  with  the  History  of  England.)  Price,-  $3. 
The  essays  collected  in  this  volume  comprise  all  Mr.  Froude's  contributions  to  current 
periodical  literature  during  the  last  few  years.  They  are  marked  by  that  gieat  originality 
and  independence  of  thought,  joined  with  stirring  eloquence  of  expression  which  havo 
secured  him  such  wide  and  enduring  reputation  as  an  historian. 

iLD  ROMAN  WORLD  (The).  The  Grandeur  and  Failure  of  its  Civil- 
ization.    By  John  Lord,  LL.D.     One  vol.  crown  Svo.     Price,  $3  00. 

In  this  work  Dr.  Lord  describes,  in  his  peculiarly  graphic  and  nervous  style,  "  the 
greatness  and  misery  of  the  old  Roman  world."  The  volume  will  be  found  entertaining 
iastrTctive  and  profitable  in  the  highest  degree,  while  it  will  be  specially  usefiil  as  a  text-book 
for  higher  schools  and  colleges. 

pAULDING'S  WORKS.  TALES  OF  THE  GOOD  WOMAN. 
■*■       One  vol.  crown  Svo.     (Uniform   edition.)     Price,         ,        ,         $2  50. 

IN  NOVEMBER 

T  K  MARVEL.  MY  FARM  AT  EDGEWOOD.  With  10  Photographic 
■*■      Illustrations  by  Rockwood,  and  a  fine  Portrait.     In  one  vol.  4to.      $10. 

■pXTEMPORARY  PREACHING.  By  F.  Barham  Zincke,  Vicar  of 
"'— '  Wherstead,  and  Chaplain  in  Ordinary  to  the  Queen.  {Published  by 
arrangemettt  with  the  author.)  To  be  uniform  with  Bautain's  Art  of  Extem- 
porary Speaking.     One  vol.  i2mo.     Price,    .        .        .        .        .         $l  75. 

T  ANGE'S  COMMENTARY.  "Genesis."  "Corinthians."  Each 
-^'     one  volume,  royal  Svo.     Price,  per  volume,  •        •        .        $5  00. 

pAULDING'S  g.  K.)  WORKS.  A  BOOK  OF  VAGARIES.  Con- 
■*-  taining  " The  New  Mirror  for  Travellers,"  "A  Satire  on  the  Manners 
and  Costumes  of  Forty  Years  Ago,"  and  some  miscellaneous  papers. 
By  J.  K.  Paulding.  With  an  engraved  portrait.  One  vol.  crown  Svo. 
Price, $2  50. 

IN  DECEMBER. 

T  ANGE'S  COMMENTARY.  "Thessalontans."  "Timothy." 
"■— '     "  Titus."     "  Hebrews."     One  volume,  royal  Svo.     Price,     .     $5  00. 

pAULDING'S  (J.  K.)  WORKS.  DUTCHMAN'S  FIRESIDE.  One 
■^       vol.  crown  Svo.     Price, $2  50. 


Charles  Scribner  &  Co!s  New  Books, 


RECENTLY    PUBLISHED. 

T"^E  VERE  (Prof.  M.  Scheie).     Studies  in  English;    or.  Glimpses  of  the 
Inner  Life  of  our  Language.  •  i  vol.  crown  8vo,  tinted  paper.     Price,      .        .     $2  50. 

T^AY  (Prof.  Henry  N.)     Elements  of  Logic.     Comprising  the  Doctrine  of 

the  Laws  and  Products  of  Thought  and  the  Doctrine  of  Method,  together  with  a 

Logical  Praxis,  designed  for  Classes  and  private  study.    Price $1  50. 

■pROUDE  (J.  A.)     History  of  England,  from  the  Fall  of  Wolsey  to  the 
Death  of  Elizabeth.    In  10  crown  8vo  vols.    Price,  $3  00  each ;  or,  half  caif,  ^5  00  each. 

/^IBBONS  (J.  S.)     The  Public  Debt  of  the  United  States.      i  vol.  crown 
8vo.    Price, $2  00. 

TK  MARVEL     (D.G.Mitchell.)     Rural  Studies.     With  Practical  Hints 

for  Country  Places.    Illustrated  by  the  Author.     In  i  voL  i2mo,  tmiform  with  "  My 

Farm  of  Edgewood."    Price, $1  75- 

T  ANGE  (Rev.  J.  P.)    New  Volume  of  Lange's  Commentary  on  the  Epistles 

of  James,  Peter,  John  and  Jude.     i  vol.  8vo.     Price, $5  00. 

ACTS.     Being  the  third  volume  issued  of  Lange's  Commentary  on  the  Bible,      i  vol.  roya^ 

8vo.     Price $5  00 

Also,  MATTHEW,     i  vol.     MARK  and  LUKE,     i  vol.    Price,  each         .        .        $5  00. 

T  IBER  LIBRORUM.     Uniform  with  "  Ecce  Deus  "  and  "  Ecce  Homo." 
I  vol.  i6mo.     Price, $1  50. 

pAULDING  (James  K.)  Literary  Life  of.     Compiled  by  his  Son,  William 
I.  Paulding,     i  vol.  crown  8vo.    Fine  Portrait.     Price, $2  50. 

"DANDOLPH  (A.  D.  F.)     Hopefully  Waiting,  and  other  Verses,     i  vol, 
i6mo.     Price, $1  50, 

"O  ITTER  (Carl)  Life  of.     By  W.  L.  Gage,     i  vol.  i2mo.     Price,      $1  75 

CCHAFF  (Rev.  P.,  D.D.)     History  of  the  Christian  Church,  from  Con- 
stantine  the  Great  to  Gregory  the  Great.    A.  D.  311-600.     Being  Vols.  2  and  3  o< 

"Ancient  Christianity."    2  vols.  Svo.     Price, J?7  50. 

Also,  just  ready.  New  Edition  of  Vol.  i,  same  work,  A.  D.  1-311.    Price,         .        ^3  75. 

CHEDD  (Rev.  W.  G.  T.)   A  Treatise  on  Homiletics  and  Pastoral  Theology 

I  vol.  Svo,  tinted  paper,  450  pages.    Price, $3  5^ 

Also,  New  Edition  of  History  of  Christian  Doctrine,  by  same  author.  2  vols.  S'-'o,  tinted 
paper.     Fifth  Edition.     Price, $6  50. 

q^RENCH,  (Rev.  R.  C,  D.  D.)    Studie*  in  the  Gospels,    i  vol.  Svo.       $3 

Ne^w  Editions,  at  Reduced  Prices. 

/^OOIv  (Prof.  Josiah  P.,  Jr.)  Religion  and  Chemistry,  or  Proofs  of  God'* 
^^  Plan  in  the  Atmosphere  and  its  Elements,  i  vol.  crown  8vo.  Price,  .  .  $2  so. 
T7ISIIER  (Rev.  George  P.)     Essays  on  the  Supernatural  Origin  of  Chris- 

tiar.ity.     Price ^2  50. 

A /r  AINK  (Henry  S.)     Ancient  Law  ;  its  Connection  with  the  Early  History 
of  .Society,  and  its  I'.elation  to  Modern  Ideas,     i  vol.  cro^vn  Svo.    Price,     .        I3  00. 


heological   Semin.iry-Speer   Libr, 


1    1012  01028  6039 


'^:>i^ki^M&y::r:.y.u^:^^ji^^iM!i 


